In association with Concerts SA, iSupport Music Business presents three performances by one of South Africa’s favourite saxophone players, McCoy Mrubata, as part of a weekend of Africa Day celebrations. Mrubata and his band will be performing on Friday 24 May at The Chairman in Durban, Saturday 25 May at Seaman’s Corner in Hammarsdale and Sunday 26 May at Artizen Lounge in KwaMashu.
His visit will promote the release of his 12th solo album, Brasskaap Volume 3, which was recorded in Johannesburg, Cape Town and in France and released in March this year.
“People can expect a vibrant performance and a repertoire that will consist of new songs and old favorites. Besides the South African influences, my new material is full of songs with beats and rhythms from North and West Africa- very fitting for this Africa Day Weekend.” Says Mrubata.
Born in 1959 in Cape Town’s historic Langa township, reedman McCoy Mrubata grew up with the sounds of African music: the soulful hymns of the Zion Church, the chants and rhythms of traditional healers and the brassy jive of the Merry Macs band who rehearsed opposite his home. When schooling became impossible in the fiery aftermath of the 1976 uprising, the young Mrubata, then playing flute, studied informally under Langa greats like Madoda Gxabeka, Winston Ngozi , the Ngcukanas, Ezra and Duke, Blackie Tempi and Robert Sithole. Over the years he toured and recorded with a dazzling array of South African and overseas jazz players. Mrubata released his first solo album in 1989 and has won many awards, including five SAMA Awards- the latest in 2015 for Brasskaap Sessions Volume 2.
More recently, Mrubata and Paul Hanmer celebrated 30 years of friendship and collaborative work in music and had performances around SA and also toured the USA, performing and conducting workshops at higher institutions like Berklee College of Music and UCLA. In 2018 Mrubata won the Kennedy Center Gold Awards.
Joining Mrubata on stage are an all-local lineup including Neil Gonsalves on keys, Dalisu Ndlazi on bass guitar and Riley Giandhari on drums.
At Artizen Restaurant and Lounge, vocalist Xolisa Dlamini will also be performing. Musician and singer Xolisa Dlamini is regarded as a legend and veteran of theatre who believes she has always been a creative person in sync with music and destined for greatness.
Dlamini has performed to critical acclaim at many high-profile events. She performed in Scotland for the 2014 Commonwealth games with Philani Ngidi, Hugh Masekela, Mahotela Queens and Micasa and at the inauguration of President Thabo Mbeki. She has recorded and performed with Busi Mhlongo, Serio Diaz from Brazil and Elie Kihonia from the Republic of Congo as a backing vocalist.
Dlamini released her second album Afro Blue in June 2010 which includes hits like Vuma and Ndim Ndedwa. She is currently working on her third album, due to be released later this year. She recently completed her Bachelor of Practical Music (B-Prac) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She is inspired by the music of Busi Mhlongo, Dianne Reeves, Bheki Mseleku, Chaka Khan, Feya Faku, Demi Fernandez, Susan Barry, Miles Davies, Sibongile Khumalo, Miriam Makeba and many more.
These concerts are 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.
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.
Events Listing
Friday 24 May
The Chairman – Durban
146 Mahatma Ghandi Road, Durban
10.30pm / R150 (deductible from consumption bill)
Bookings: 079 753 6113 or info@thechairmanlive.com
Saturday 25 May
Seaman’s Corner – Hammarsdale
Unit 3, Dimba Road, Mpumalanga Township
7pm / R40
Bookings: 083 337 2518 + tickets at the door
Sunday 26 May
Artizen Restaurant & Lounge – KwaMashu
Also performing: Xolisa Dlamini
4pm / R50 (R100 per coolerbox)
Tickets at the door
Reedman McCoy Mrubata Visits KwaZulu-Natal To Celebrate Africa Day
