Celebrating the Great Mandela Legacy Through Jazz

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Click here for isiZulu version

UKZN’s Centre for Jazz and Popular Music proudly presents a double bill gig with Mr Andile Yenana Sextet: Umnqgonqgo Wabantu and UKZN lecturer, Mr Burton Naidoo, in Celebration of the Mandela Centenary on Wednesday, 18 July 2018, at 18h00.

Yenana presents his latest compositions recorded during his Swiss residency in 2017. His music is notable for its evocative and soulful power as well as the sensitivity of his touch and ensemble playing. The project features arrangements of traditional isiXhosa initiation songs worked into jazz-inspired sensibilities and pulses; all the while celebrating free and boundless improvisation.

Pianist, composer and arranger, Naidoo has transcribed some of Mandela’s most iconic speeches. ‘Our Song’  is inspired by the life and character of Nelson Mandela. ‘The words are pitch classed and harmonised in the effort to create a musical backdrop to these iconic pieces,’ he said.

Naidoo has also written new compositions to compliment the performance. Written for piano solo, the audience can expect speeches from the Rivonia Trial, Praise Singing from Sthembile Mlangeni and Zolani Mkhiva at the Inauguration as well as Mr FW de Klerk’s announcement to free Nelson Mandela at Parliament.

The concert will also feature Marcus Wyatt (trumpet and flugelhorn), Linda Sikhakhane (tenor), Siyasanga Charles (trombone) Andile Yenana (piano), Ariel Zamonsky (bass) and Michi Stulz from Seitzerland (drum).

The Centre for Jazz and Popular music (CJPM) is located at the Shepstone Building, Level 2, at the UKZN Howard College campus.

Admission is as follows:

• General: R80.00
• Pensioners: R50.00
• Students: R25.00

For enquiries and ticket purchase, contact Thuli on (031) 260 3385 or email Zamat1@ukzn.ac.za for more details.

Words: Melissa Mungroo 

Photograph: Supplied