we like what we write
Solo musos on guitar, synthesiser and feedback loop. They pop up at weird festivals in rural towns, like the olive festival in Riebeeck-Kasteel, or the pumpkin festival in Heidelberg. They’re ubiquitous and they all sound like Jeremy Loops. Actually they all might be Jeremy Loops. Not that there’s anything wrong with Jloo, thousands adore him,…
Mandla Mlangeni’s trumpet blows the sounds of blackness as beautiful young and established jazz players lit a fire in the austere DSG hall. With the opening track dedicated to those without a home, the aptly titled Homeless blew me away; I didn’t expect such a young man to play such distilled — awaiting to be…
By Sheena Stannard: This techno, clowning music show launches us into an immediate state of childlike glee. Swedish Sirqus Alfon is on a mission to spread enjoyment, love and self-belief. Using incredible digital tricks and visual illusions with technical high jinks, the three clown musos intoxicate the 400 of us in the Guy Butler Theatre…
Giant speakers armed with the trumpeting sounds of Fredrik Noren dunking and dipping first to third valves of the trumpet echo through Saint’s Bistro. Nicholas Williams on piano transports you out of any grey areas through black and white keys. The sound of the Gretsch cymbals played by Kevin Gibson continuously hit you into reality.…
Without introduction, the quintet struck their notes and stated their African roots, starting off with the traditional Kudala, immortalised by The Blue Notes, with the European horns wafting the refrain with aplomb. At 10.30pm Saints, which is the venue for the Standard Bank Jazz & Blues Cafe, was full, most eyes drinking in the dexterity…