Friday 20 January
This performance by the Melvin Peters Quartet at The Jazzy Rainbow is part of the Concerts SA Venue Circuit which aims to foster a love and support for live music in our communities, as well as anchor small and medium sized venues in urban and rural Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape.
Durban’s longest-running jazz lounge, The Jazzy Rainbow, in association with Concerts SA, launched its first straight jazz programme on the eve of Heritage Day in September2016 and is following up with the same concept in 2017. “#JazzyStraightAhead is about introducing regular, live, straight jazz concerts to our city in order to help keep the music alive,” says Oliver-Rene Haas. “
The Melvin Peters Quartet comprises four of Durban’s finest jazz musicians. The group has performed together for several years and have a repertoire that ranges from mainstream to modern jazz. The musicians have an attachment to the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and at some point in their careers have either studied or taught at this institution. Melvin Peters, who leads the group on piano, studied under the tutelage of Darius Brubeck in the early eighties and graduated with a Master of Music degree in 1989. The saxophone player, Dr Jeff Robinson is a retired academic; however he continues to lecture part-time at UKZN in the field of Music Education. Bassist Ildo Nanja is presently involved in post-graduate studies, whilst drummer Bruce Baker is currently the drum tutor at UKZN.
The Melvin Peters Quartet has a strong musical identity which is a result of their original compositions. Melvin is the main composer; however Ildo and Jeff have also contributed in this regard. The music of the quartet is therefore quite interesting with an eclectic mix of different influences. Furthermore, this music would appeal primarily to jazz aficionados who are well versed with the mainstream tradition. However, as part of their repertoire, the group has also explored music emanating from the South African jazz tradition. In this regard, they have performed music by local luminaries, including Abdullah Ibrahim and Winston Mankunku. More recently, the group has performed a tribute to world-renowned jazz pianist, Dave Brubeck. As individuals, the members of the Melvin Peters Quartet are versatile, and are therefore often engaged by other groups or ensembles. However, as a collective, they are a strong unit, combining solid musicianship with creativity and imaginative improvisatory skills.
Date: Friday 20 January
Time: 7pm
Cost: R70- includes free drink (T&C)
Call: 031 3038398
The Jazzy Rainbow
93 Smiso Nkwanyana Rd, Morningside, Durban
Following this January bash, #JazzyStraightAhead will feature Kgethi Nkotsi in the beginning of February with another main act yet to be announced later in the month of February.
Concerts SA is a joint South African/Norwegian live music development project housed within the SAMRO Foundation. Concerts SA receives financial, administrative and technical support from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, SAMRO, the SAMRO Foundation and Concerts Norway. Working with musicians, promoters, venue owners and audiences, and providing support to the sector through research and skills development for music professionals, the project aims to build a vibrant and viable live music circuit in southern Africa. It also aims to develop an interest in and appreciation of live music by showcasing music performances and conducting workshops at schools.
For more information please visit http://concertssa.co.za, follow @ConcertsSA on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ConcertsSA or like www.facebook.com/ConcertsSA.
