Friday 9th June
This performance by the Natalie Rungan 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 The Jazzy Rainbow, in association with Concerts SA, launched its first straight jazz programme on the eve of Heritage Day in September 2016 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. “
Durban born singer- songwriter Natalie Rungan is a popular performer in Jazz and Gospel circles, who graduated from the University of Natal with a Masters in Music. She taught jazz vocals at the University of Natal for seven years in the jazz studies programme. Her smooth vocal styling honed by hours of tireless practice and superior knowledge of jazz saw her travel from Harare, Zimbabwe to Boston, New York, Germany, Scotland and Sweden as a student. Natalie recorded her second album “This is Me” with South African Victor Masondo, featuring world-renowned saxophonist Gerald Albright and recently deceased Kwaito star, Mandoza.
Natalie is invited to perform at numerous local and national events, festivals and corporates. She has a very special way with audiences that always leave them astounded. This was noted at the reception dinner for Prince Albert of Monaco and Princess Charlene, as well as her visit to Sydney, Australia, where she wowed audiences, winning new fans. One of the greatest highlights was being invited to sing at the official memorial service for our nation’s father, Nelson Mandela, in Soweto alongside PJ Powers, Zahara, Danny K, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Sibongile Khumalo, Ernie Smith and Abigail Kubekha. She has performed with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra on several occasions, alongside Loyiso Bala, Toya Delazy and Melanie Lowe.
This industrious singer- songwriter now has four albums under her belt having written, produced and arranged her last two, “Heart Aflame” and “Grace is Shouting Out”. Both albums have met with considerable success, with songs being used on local soapie “Isidingo” as well as being being playlisted on local radio stations. Natalie has just completed writing songs for her next album, due to be released at the end of 2017. In addition to this Natalie is in the process of starting her PhD at UKZN, under the disciplines of Sociology/Anthropology. She is the Director of the Chris Seabrooke Music Centre, and Head of Music at Durban High School.
Natalie Rungan – vocals, Bruce Baker- drums. Neil Gonsalves – piano and Llewelyn Chetty – bass
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 our website http://concertssa.co.za, follow @ConcertsSA on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ConcertsSA or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ConcertsSA.
Friday 9th June- 7pm entrance
Entrance fee- R70 including a free drink (T&C)
Bookings: phone 031-3038398 or email jazzyrainbow@mweb.co.za
The Jazzy Rainbow, 93 Smiso Nkwanyana Road, Morningside
