Friday 23 February
This performance by Obakeng Thamage and Friends 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. “
Obakeng Thamage- a pianist, composer and soon to be film score writer- was born in the town of Krugersdorp on the West Rand. He started engaging in music at the 14, though his family recall seeing signs of his artistic nature from the tender age of 4. Obakeng loved anything that involved music and drama. He was often seen making use of tins and buckets as drums. Him being the only musician in the family made it hard for him to pursue it as a career, “I take after my father” says Obakeng because he used to join him in composing whenever he was practicing the piano. Obakeng’s music career became clearer in 2013, a year after he had started playing the piano, when he joined a trio of friends that he grew up with called ReClef Rhythm.
His musical background has largely been in the Jazz arena but, has he since also discovered a love for other genres. In 2016, after completing his matric, Obakeng made up his mind to pursue music as a career and a calling. Since then he has been afforded the opportunity to do a lot of gigs sharing stages with big names such as Hugh Masekela, Ray Phiri and Benjamin Dube, in a range of different genres such as jazz, pop, gospel and more. He has played for Keke Phoofolo, Thinah Zungu, Nosihe Zulu and many others. Although he has accompanied many artists, Obakeng never strayed from the initial goal of establishing his name and works in the Jazz industry. His composing style has African elements fused with modern day Bebop but, unlike Bebop, it has many sections and partly a classical theme, while still leaving space for the traditional jazz improvisation. Obakeng is currently studying towards a Music Degree at UKZN.
Friday 23 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.