Friday 16 February
This performance Nomfundo Cleo Cele 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 jazz lounge, The Jazzy Rainbow, in association with Concerts SA, launched its first straight jazz programme on the eve of Heritage Day in September 2016 and continues to follow up with the same concept. “#JazzyStraightAhead is about introducing regular, live, straight jazz concerts to our city in order to help keep the music alive,” says Oliver-Rene Haas. “
Nomfundo Cleopatra Cele is a Durban born and raised singer and songwriter. From a very young age she was surrounded by jazz music. Her father is a great lover of music, particularly jazz and South African Gospel and used to play the piano at home. This musical atmosphere inspired Cleo’s love for music. Cleo joined her local church choir, which helped her to find her voice and to build her confidence. In 2014 her choir won the AGMA (African Gospel Music Awards) held in Croydon, London, for Choir of the Year 2014. Cleo also began to pursue being a backup vocalist, working with musicians like Dudu Mash, Freddy Okechukwu Whales, Thandeka Dawn King and Nosihe Zulu (Idols 2016 participant).
Recently Cleo has done a lot of solo performances, including a lot of jazz and neo-soul in her repertoire. This very versatile singer enjoys expressing herself in a wide range of musical genres but jazz remains her favourite. Her greatest vocal inspirations include Jazzmeia Horn, Patti Austin, Betty Carter, Nomfundo Xaluva, Tutu Poane, Sbongile Khumalo and Ella Fitzgerald. Cleo is currently a student at UKZN, furthering her musical knowledge while majoring in Jazz voice. The band comprises of Cleo on vocals, Piano – Ndumiso Khubisa (piano), Nkululeko “ Dusty” (drums) and Blessing Thwala (bass).
Friday 16th February
Entrance: 7pm- R50, including a free drink for students (T&C)
Address: The Jazzy Rainbow, 93 Smiso Nkwanyana Rd, Morningside
Bookings: phone 031-3038398 or email jazzyrainbow@mweb.co.za
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.
