Kwa Sec in Gugulethu promises a jazzy weekend celebrating Africa Day with Menyatso Mathole on Saturday, 27 May, and In With a Shout led by saxophonist Dan Shout on Sunday, 28 May from 3pm.
Jazz in the Native Yards and Concerts SA presents the jazz gigs at Kwa Sec NY 138 no. 52, Gugulethu. Guitarist Menyatso was a co-founder of the potent 1980’s Sakhile ensemble, and he takes centre stage from 3pm to celebrate Africa Day with Mandla Zikalala on bass, Carlo Fabe on drums and saxophonist Leon Sharnick.
Inspired by Marks Mankwane’s mbaqanga guitar
Born in Bloemfontein, Mathole grew up in Thaba Nchu. His first instrument as a youngster was a self-made oil can guitar. He was first attracted to music from listening on radio to the likes of Marks Mankwane, a legendary mbaqanga guitarist.
” As a kid, I aspired to be like Marks – I found his music honest, and his melodic identity unique,” he explains.
In the ’70s, he was regularly playing at the Pelican Night Club, an iconic live music venue in Orlando, Soweto. “We often performed as an opening act for groups such as The Beaters (which later became Harari), ” says Mathole.
In 1980, he joined Sipho Gumede, Khaya Mahlangu, Mabe Thobejane, Madoda Mathunjwa, and Themba Mkhize in establishing Sakhile, who released their debut album in 1980, and evolved to become an influential Afro-jazz group which for many, contributed the soundtrack to the cultural renaissance of the 1980’s. There were several mutations of Sakhile, all of which showcased the extraordinary nimble sounds of Mathole. As a member of Sakhile, Mathole played at Wembley Stadium for the Nelson Mandela Tribute Concert, toured South Africa, the continent, and Europe.
Contemporary Afro jazz-fusion project
On Sunday, May 28 In With a Shout, a contemporary Afro jazz-fusion project lead by saxophonist Dan Shout, performs music arranged for three tenor saxophones from 3pm. The compositions reflect Shout’s life-trajectory through Southern Africa – his family’s emigration from Zimbabwe, his formative years in the Namibian desert and his spiritual homecoming to the slopes of Table Mountain where he now resides.
The music is infused with the sounds and souls of the music and musicians Shout has performed with – luminaries such as Winston Mankunku Ngozi, Darryl Andrews, Mike Campbell and Johnny Clegg.
The band is comprised of Marc de Kock (tenor sax/flute), Justin Bellairs (alto/soprano sax), Andrew Ford (keyboards), Sibusiso Matsimela (double bass) and Kevin Gibson (drums). In With a Shout is supported by Concerts SA.
Where: Kwa Sec NY 138 no. 52, Gugulethu, Cape Town
Who, When:
Sat, 27 May, 2017, Menyatso Mathole, 3pm
Sun, 28 May, 2017, In With a Shout – Dan Shout, 3pm
Tickets: R70 door, Student/pensioner discounts available
WS
