South African jazz player Mlungisi Gegana has released his third album. He’ll be touring it to five Cape Town stages from 21 to 30 December, 2023. KEANETSE MOKHOTHU contacted the bassman prior to his crossover from one coast to another – the Eastern Cape to the Western Cape.
Congratulations on your release maestro- please share its holistic background?
The music on this album has taken me almost 10 years to feel comfortable with for it to be recorded. As the title of the album is called My Time, My Space, it was created with so much passion that required time, appropriate time and space. It did not matter how much time had been spent, so long as the space allowed the creativity to come out.
From “Celebrate life” to “East to West”, an evolution in sound indeed – what are the motives behind this particular migration?
The migration came from composing all the songs from the piano, unlike my previous albums where all the songs were written from the bass.
Your offering comprises stellar personnel – what is your vision of each musician.
I chose musicians that, firstly, I could relate to on a personal level. Secondly, culture. Next came similar tastes in music and musical influences. Then the projects we had worked on collectively or individually.
What would your advice be to an artist intending to take this step that you took, “a change in musicianship?”
If any artist wants to bring onboard another artist to his or her project, they have to make sure that a strong personal relationship exists between them both. They have to ensure that he or she understands the concept, for instance, someone who can interpret the music in a way that will relate to the desired target market.
How do you anticipate Capetonians receiving My Time, My Space?
It is project that carries a message of tolerance and patience.
What can your audiences expect from your performances?
Cape Town has a very warm audience. It is a city that opens up, appreciates and embraces that which is spoken to the heart. Without a doubt, the Mother City, will enjoy this offering.
Mlungisi Gegana live in Cape Town
Guga S’thebe
Afro Fiesta 2023 Music & Lifestyle Festival
Wednesday, 20 December 2023, 4pm
R120 Washington Street, Langa
Tickets Quicket
Athletic Club & Social
Thursday, 21 December 2023, 8pm
R150
35 Buitengracht Street, Cape Town
Tickets Quicket
M-PIRE Music
Thursday, 28 December 2023, 8pm
R150 (Quicket), R200 (Door)
First Floor, 299 Albert Road, Woodstock
Tickets Door, Quicket
The Commons
Friday, 29 December 2023, 8pm
R120
Surfer’s Corner, Beach Road, Muizenberg
Tickets Quicket
A Touch of Madness
Saturday, 30 December 2023, 3pm
R100
Tickets Webtickets
Who: Double bassist Mlungisi Gegana interview
Albums: One Step Forward, I Am Who Am I, My Time, My Space
Social media: Instagram @MlungisiGegana, Facebook Mlungisi Gegana
WS
