McCoy Mrubata, Cape Town’s much-loved saxman, pops in at Guga S’thebe in Langa on Sunday 29 July 2018 from 4pm. McCoy’s visit is a Jazz in the Native Yards collab with Concerts SA.
This homecoming concert sees McCoy Mrubata perform and record with young and old Cape musicians. For the Guga S’thebe gig he’ll play with The Unity Band, who he met a few years ago. This includes Steve De Souza on bass, Lonwabo Mafani (piano), Marco Maritz (trumpet), Lumanyano Mzi (drums), Dylan Fine (guitar), Thandeka Dladla (vocals) and Lalavan Gangen on percussion.
“I felt in love with the Unity Band’s sound, energy and musicality. I was also very impressed with their drummer, Lumanyano Mzi’s leadership skills”, says McCoy.
“I’ll also be in the studio recording with The Unity Band, Bongani Sotshononda and Daluxolo Hoho. I’ll also be recording with the legendary Roger Khoza who will be a very special guest on the album and we’ll do one of his compositions”.
Cape Samba, Brasskap Sessions Volume 3
“For Guga S’thebe, I plan to please my Cape Town fans by revisiting popular songs like Cape Samba and Mr And Mrs Adonis. I’ll also introduce songs that are going to be on my forthcoming album Brasskap Sessions Volume 3,” the saxophonist adds.
Now based in Johannesburg, McCoy Mrubata recently launched a DVD, McCoy Mrubata Live at the Market Theatre. The DVD was shot in 2015 during the International Jazz Day launch as part of the celebrations. In 2016 he was part of a South African Dutch exchange band that performed at the Amersfoort Jazz Festival in the Netherlands. He has also released a CD that was recorded last year in Switzerland called McCoy Mrubata Live at the Bird’s Eye Jazz Club.
More about McCoy
McCoy Mrubata grew up in Cape Town’s Langa township, South Africa, surrounded by the soulful hymns of the Zion Church, chants and rhythms of traditional healers and brassy jive of the Merry Macs band who rehearsed opposite his home.
When schooling became impossible in the fiery aftermath of the 1976 uprising, the young performer, then playing flute, studied informally under Langa greats like Madoda Gxabeka, Winston Ngozi Mankunku, Ngcukana brothers Ezra and Duke, Blackie Tempi and Robert Sithole.
In the early 1980s he was playing in cover bands like Fever, Touch, Airborne and Vukani, from there he moved to crossover outfit Louis and the Jive. In 1987 McCoy was spotted by bandleader Sipho Hotstix Mabuse who helped him make Joburg his home. In 1988 he joined PJ Powers band and also that year McCoy was sported by veteran producer Koloi Lebona who offered him a recording deal with a British-based record company Zomba Records. McCoy’s debut album, Firebird was released the following year.
In 1989 he formed Brotherhood, which included Jimmy Dludlu, pianist Nhlanhla Magagula and Lucas Khumalo and later Moses Molelekwa. In 1990 the band won the Gilbey’s Music for Africa competition. In 1992 he began touring with Hugh Masekela’s Lerapo, alongside guitarist Lawrence Matshiza and pianist Moses Molelekwa.
He also created his own bands, Cape to Cairo and McCoy and Friends. In the mid 1990s, he made the first of a series of albums as leader for the independent Sheer Sound label: Tears of Joy. The personnel of Friends, including pianist Paul Hanmer, bassist Andre Abrahamse and trombonist Jabu Magubane have formed a consistent team of collaborators for McCoy. Since those days, more albums have followed: Phosa Ngasemva, Hoelykit, Face the Music which won a 2003 SAMA in the Traditional Jazz category and Icamagu Livumile which won the same award in 2005, as well as the compilation CD – Best of the Early Years. Brasskap Sessions Volume 1 won the 2008 award.
For the Cape Town gig guide: https://weekendspecial.co.za/whats-on-in-cape-town-music-diary/
Who: McCoy Mrubata, The Unity Band
Where: Guga S’thebe, Langa, Cape Town
When: Sunday 29 July 2018 at 4pm
Album: Brasskap Sessions Volume 3
Tickets: R100/R50 pensioners, students at door, or www.quicket.co.za
Info: SMS/WhatsApp Luvuyo Kakaza 060 960 8935
WS
