Witness the spectacle of a humble music project from 12 winters ago now blossoming into a hot take on the vintage swing and American gospel genres: Ladies and gentlemen – Pravda!
The ensemble’s sonic palette ranges from the dance-oriented sounds of Jamiroquai and Caravan Palace to the vintage American gospel of The Golden Gate Quartet and the big band jazz of Louis Armstrong and Benny Goodman. African, Latin and traditional Balkan rhythms can be found in the compositions, which play out like a mixture of electro-jazz and world music sounds, delivered with a notably original approach.
Guitarist-composer John Bartmann
Pravda was formed in Cape Town in 2006, when guitarist-composer John Bartmann began producing a string of self-released EPs, going on to license electronic and orchestral compositions to the South African Broadcasting Commission, DNA Musik (Germany) and theatre company Bard & Troubadour (UK). In 2014, the band evolved to include DJ-clarinettist Zimasa Gysman.
Jacques Louw of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra performed briefly with the band, to be replaced in 2015 by multi-instrumentalist Callan Wolff of Turkish music ensemble Ottoman Slap – regulars at the annual National Arts Festival. In 2016, the ensemble grew to include Nigerian trumpeter Kolawole Gbolohan and saxophonist Gareth Harvey, who has performed with The Johnny Cooper Orchestra, Crimson House and McCoy Mrubata and at the National Arts and Joy of Jazz Festivals with his own band SAXIT!. Producer-DJ Django Flaherty joined in 2016, with accolades including performances and residencies at Rezonance Festival, Mutha FM, Catacombs and Polana.
Vintage SA swing jazz and world music
Of their music, the band say, “We all get off on vintage South African swing jazz and world music. That’s the common thread. Our previous EP, Modern Folk, was an experiment in merging gypsy jazz with hip hop and house. This one, Drink EP, is more singalong stuff. We intend for our music to occupy a popular realm while retaining credibility and authenticity, one that South Africans can enjoy as well as global listeners. This year, we’re focusing on putting on a fantastic live show. Thanks for checking us out!”
Pravda is a collection of musicians joined at the hip by a rich love for local, contemporary, crossover and world electronic music. Stay tuned for updates relating to performances and releases of their trademark ‘future jazz’ sound. Hear them at Alliance Francaise with Afro-French-Funk band YéYo as support act.
Who: Pravda, YéYo
Where: Alliance Francaise, 155 Loop Street, Cape Town
When: Friday, 30 June 2017. Doors 7pm, gig 7.30 pm
Tickets: R100, Kitchen and bar open, Credit card, cash accepted
Book: 021 423 5699, culture.cpt@alliance.org.za
Web: http://pravda23.com
Social media: http://facebook.com/pravda23, http://twitter.com/pravda23,
http://soundcloud.com/pravda23, http://instagram.com/pravdaofficial http://pravda23.bandcamp.com
Youtube: http://youtube.com/pravdaofficial
WS
