Nhlanhla Mahlangu’s Dani Mali project on tour

Press Release – For Immediate Release

Johannesburg, 10th February 2017

In association with Concerts SA, composer and saxophonist Nhlanhla Mahlangu will present, live, the compositions of the forthcoming debut album of his DaniMali project.

DaniMali is a body of multi-discipline art work (with music as the primary art form) that narrates the complexities of what it means to be a young black South African in “the new South Africa”. Its creative philosophy connects some of the world’s most vibrant art forms to the long-term continuum of jazz in South Africa’s own community. The project combines rhythmic and harmonic devices from a whole array or genres with serious roots in jazz and indigenous music.

The DaniMali project has been in development since 2013 and now Nhlanhla Mahlangu is proudly touring South Africa with a host of great musicians to bring the project to life. Joining him on the tour are Sthembiso Bhengu on trumpet, Keenen Ahrends on guitar, Sanele Phakathi on piano, Lungile Kunene on drums and Dalisu Ndlazi on bass. At selected shows, there will also be special guests joining in (vocalists Keorapetsoe Kolwane and Ntsiki Mqaba).

Mahlangu says: “We are preparing to record our debut album and this touring opportunity is the ultimate chance to let our already established audience know that the record is coming and also cultivate new audiences across the South African region. This tour gives us an open canvas to explore the new horizons presented by the scenes and venues outside our regular circles in Gauteng.”

Born in Mamelodi (Pretoria) in 1989, Nhlanhla Daniel Mahlangu picked up the saxophone at the age of 15. One of the earliest ensembles Mahlangu played in was a group led by Yonela Mnana, with whom he played tenor sax. Later he met and started working with Nduduzo Makhathini’s band, where the young musician began to fully explore the experimental side of modal music and recorded as a sideman. Although he pursued jazz as his primary interest, Mahlangu was influenced by a diverse range of musical sources, such as gospel, classical, hip-hop, kwaito, house, mbanqanga and motswako.

Some other great artists that he has had the privilege and honour of collaborating with include Feya Faku, Don Laka, Dr Abdulah Ibrahim, Prof Rufus Reid (USA), Sibongile Khumalo, Dr Yusef Latif (USA), Prof Lein Ariel (USA), Barney Rachabane, Themba Mkhize, Andile Yenana, Herbie Tsoaeli, Moss Mogale, Zwelakhe Duma Bell-Le Pere, Victor Masondo, Ringo Madlingozi, Zulu Boy, Skwata Kamp, Victor Masondo, Vusi Mahlasela and Italo Dlamini (Swaziland). He also recorded albums with Afrika Mkhize, Mahlatse Matlala, Ayanda Sikade, Feya Faku, Nduduzo Makhathini and Tumi Mogorosi.

Nhlanhla Mahlangu’s Dani Mali Tour is supported by the Music Mobility Fund, a funding mechanism administered by Concerts SA which offers opportunities for South African musicians to undertake live music tours.

Concerts SA is a joint South African/Norwegian initiative housed under the auspices of the Stakeholder Hub within the SAMRO Foundation; it receives financial, administrative and technical support from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the SAMRO Foundation and Concerts Norway. Working with musicians, promoters, venue owners and audiences, the project aims to support live music in South Africa by finding and implementing ways to create a vibrant and viable live music circuit. 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, follow @ConcertsSA on Twitter or like us on Facebook.

Artist Links

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Nhlanhla-Mahlangu-296090557124804

Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/nhlanhla-mahlangu-4

Twitter: www.twitter.com/danimali1

SABC Interview: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KBwqwHTlkI

Performance video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKOWdZ__x8w

Events Listing

Durban – Jazzy Rainbow

Friday 17th February – 7pm – R 80 (includes one drink)

Address:  93 Smiso Nkwanyana Rd, Morningside

Bookings:  031 303 8398/ jazzyrainbow@mweb.co.za

Durban – The Chairman

Saturday 18th February – 11pm – R 150

Address: 146 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Durban

Bookings: 079 753 6313 / info@thechairmanlive.com

Durban – Rainbow

Sunday 19th February – 2pm – R 70

Address:  23 Stanfield Lane, Pinetown

Bookings: 031 702 9161 / www.webtickets.co.za

Johannesburg – Afrikan Freedom Station

Thursday 23rd February – 7pm – R 80

Address:  41 5th Avenue, Westdene

Bookings: 073 852 5149 / kwena@xivumbeko.co.za

Johannesburg – Sophiatown The Mix

Friday 24th February – 8pm – R 110

Address:  cnr Toby St & Edward Rd

Bookings: 011 673 1271/ info@sophiatownthemix.com

Pretoria – Market @ The Sheds

Saturday 25th February – 110m – R 50

Address: 381 Helen Joseph St, Pretoria, Gauteng

Bookings: 082 854 6854 / market@capitalcollective.co.za

Johannesburg – The Orbit

Saturday 25th February – 8pm – R130

Address: 81 De Korte Street, Braamfontein

Bookings: 011 339 6645/ info@theorbit.co.za

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