Langa will once again get buzzing with the sounds of pure South African jazz this Sunday, 24 November, 2024 at 16 Lerotholi Gallery. This time around the vibrant township celebrates the legacy of Dr. Tete Mbambisa’s legacy through performances by the Tete Mbambisa Sextet and the Andile Yenana Quintet. KEANETSE FOTHOANE spoke to jazz giants Dr. Tete Mbambisa, Andile Yenana and event organizer Koko Nkalashe for insight into the festivities.
KF: Please elaborate on ‘umnombo womngqungqo wesiNtu’ – the African jazz legacy and how it relates to Dr. Tete Mbambisa and Andile Yenana.
KN: Umnombo womngqungqo wesiNtu is the genesis and history of African rhythms spanning decades of dancing and sounds. Dr. Tete Mbambisa and Andile Yenana are examples of how these styles can be expressed through African jazz with various musical instruments.
KF: How has jazz in Cape Town townships withstood social and economic hardships over time?
KN: The townships, aka Native Yards, have survived an onslaught of abuse, neglect and basically being ignored by past and present authorities, but creatives in both music, visual arts, and also in culinary talent and merrymaking have survived these through artistic expression, innovation and entrepreneurial ingenuity. Not only does jazzinthenativeyards bring appreciators together, but it is also accommodating of vendors who have to make a living.
The struggle for jazz has been real and over the decades, we survived with contributions from many musicians who keep the spotlight on SA music and talent, the likes of Abdullah Ibrahim, Hugh Masekela and others. Now is not the time to throw it all away.
KF: Dr Mbambisa, what was the motive behind the selection of your sextet from a generational and musical stance?
TM: The sextet was specifically selected to be young musicians who can learn of this jazz genre of marabi, mbaqanga and other classical South African folk music (church music). The sextet was chosen as a suggestion by the managers around me and approved by myself.
KF: With a career spanning over six decades, what would your advice be to musicians to keep the fire going?
TM: The Tete Mbambisa Sextet will evolve over time, taking in various upcoming artists who need to learn these rhythms. My advice to upcoming jazz musicians is that they practice, practice, practice, remain disciplined and also to keep their minds open to learn from musicians who have come before them.
KF: Andile, your first encounter with Dr. Tete Mbambisa. How was it? Where was it and what impression did he leave on you?
AY: I met Bra Tete through watching Winston Mankunku’s band. Winston Mankunku would travel from Cape Town. Hit PE, go to East London and make his way up to Durban. He’d be doing gigs throughout his journey from Cape Town until he hit Durban. He used to come with his band comprising of Bra Tete, Spencer Mbadu and Vusi Khumalo. So, for all those years, this was the only way I was able to encounter Bra Tete. I’d also read some stuff he’s done with Victor Ntoni’s big band.
Besides that, I met him through the records we had at the library at Natal University where I was studying. Tete’s Big Sound. That was one of the records that was at the library. Other than that, Bra Tete comes from East London and I’m from King William’s Town so it’s the same community basically. I mean, I grew up in Mdantsane as a kid as well. But my father was quite instrumental in introducing all these great musicians from the Eastern Cape to me such as Bra Tete, Retsi Pule, Johnny Dyani and so on. So, Bra Tete has been the mainstay of what Eastern Cape jazz musicians are about. He’s the figurehead of the piano when we talk of the Eastern Cape. I also met his brother Fats who was also a great piano player. I saw him play with a band called Vuka.
KF: What can revelers look forward to at this very historical concert event?
KN: This weekend is going to be a feast of African jazz sounds. The Andile Yenana Quintet opens for the Tete Mbambisa Sextet, followed naturally by the sextet and an epilogue with Andile Yenana taking over from Dr. Mbambisa, sampling from this legend’s composition to close the show.
Book Tete Mbambisa & Andile Yenana tickets at Quicket.
View the map to get to 16 Lerotholi Gallery in Langa, Cape Town here.
Read Keanetse’s last Weekend Special interview with Andile Yenana here.
What: Tete Mbambisa & Andile Yenana – Securing a Jazz Legacy
Where: 16 Lerotholi Gallery, Langa, Cape Town
When: Sunday, 24 November 2024, 3pm
Tickets: R150 door, R120 online at Quicket
WS
