Durban musicians partner to revive live music performances

Concerts SA digital mobility fund recipients, vocalist, Zoe the Seed, pianist, Neil Gonsalves, and duo, N’den partner to bring a series of three live performances to UKZN’s Centre for Jazz and Popular Music, in a resumption of the Centre’s popular Trios concerts. Their performances are scheduled for Wednesday, November 3^rd, 10^th and 17^th respectively. The concert series, dubbed Words & Music, features songs, new and old, timeless tales that echo anew in the troubled times we live in.

Jazz vocalist Zoe the Seed opens proceedings on Wednesday, November, 3^rd. She is known for her beautiful sound and energy and a voice with the clarity and power of superstars such as Aretha Franklin. On November 10^th she combines forces with the erudite trumpet voice of Thabo Sikhakhane as the +2 in pianist Neil Gonsalves’ trio + 2 project. The trio is completed by drummer, Riley Giandhari and bassist, Talent Mbatha. The series closes with Durban duo N’den, led by vocalist Thulile Zama, also known from Heels over Head, and pianist David Smith.

The concerts are being recorded and will be available for purchase from 17 November via the www.nationalartsfestival.co.za ticketing platform.

Neil Gonsalves Trio

Neil Gonsalves is a composer, pianist, bandleader and music educator who has toured the world with his music. His latest album, Blessings and Blues is a trio recording that was released in April, 2021. Neil employs a trio+ concept, bringing additional musicians into the ensemble as and when the music requires, which is the case for this concert. Zoe and Thabo are regular associates of the trio and the ensemble last performed together before COVID. So, a celebratory concert with feel-good melodies and grooves, and lyrics that tend to social commentary is in store.

About

These concerts are supported by Concerts SA Digital Mobility Fund. Concerts SA is a live music project that has impacted over 12 000 artists and 900 venues across southern Africa. However, some of the venues have shut down due to the impact of COVID19 and subsequent lockdowns. Aimed at supporting live music, the Digital Mobility Fund finds its roots in the Concerts SA Music Mobility Fund. Initiated in 2013, with funding support for the pilot project from the British Council, the Music Mobility Fund offers opportunities for South African musicians to undertake music tours across southern Africa. Concerts SA opened the call for applications for the 2020 DIGITAL MOBILITY FUND in September 2020 and again in April and October this year to encourage ongoing’ movement’ in the locked-down music sector.

Booking information

3 November – Zoe the Seed

10 November – Neil Gonsalves

17 November – N’den

Booking is essential: zamat1@ukzn.ac.za