Soweto Kinch – London’s sweetest Jazz boy
Wow – talk about a cool name – meet London’s youngest and most popular Jazz saxophonist Soweto Kinch – he’s not from South Africa – but he sure seems to carry a little South Western Township spirit n the way he blows that horn. At 28 he is kicking some touche, playing alongside Abdullah Ibrahim, Herbie Hancock, Cassandra Wilson and other fabulous Jazz muso’s at the London Jazz Fe… stival on right now in London. Other locals at the festival besides Dollar Brand are Bheki Mseleku and the sweet voiced and soulful Zimbabwean Jazz vocalist Netsayi, who sings in Shona. Click here for more on the London Jazz festival and to buy tickets. Here’s more on Soweto Kinch below or read an interview with him at FLY here (thx for the pic – photographer Damian Rafferty) and click here to hear/see him on YouTube: Born in London, England in 1978 to a Barbadian father and British-Jamaican mother, Soweto Kinch is one of the most exciting and versatile young musicians to hit the British jazz scene in recent years. He first became interested in music at the tender age of eight, playing clarinet at primary school. He quickly developed a fondness for the alto saxophone and was given his first instrument when he was nine. After meeting Wynton Marsalis four years later he discovered and became passionate about jazz, first concentrating on piano and later, in his teens, focusing on alto saxophone. Soweto’s musical influences are as broad as they are diverse. He particularly admires Sonny Rollins for his innovative style and successful appropriation of West Indian music within the jazz canon. Most recently, Soweto has been influenced by baroque and early classical music due to an interest he has in the 17th and 18th century black population of Britain. He is keen to reconstruct the African and classical influences that this community would have had. As an alto player, Soweto is rapidly developing his own sound which is rich, energetic and dynamic and though he clearly has a strong respect for tradition, he is continually exploring his jazz inheritance. In 2001 he established the Soweto Kinch Trio – with bassist Michael Olatuja and drummer Troy Miller, both exceptional young players – which supported Courtney Pine at the former Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, Birmingham and performed at the Royal Festival Hall and Cheltenham International Jazz Festival. His aim with the Trio was to move audiences with the simplicity of his band and to discover the breadth of sounds and dynamics he could achieve with these basic elements. At the end of 2002, Soweto began work on his dýbut album, extending...
BAYETE NKOSI Jabu Khanyile
We don’t want Represent to become an obituary column but it is a sad day when we lose two of our musical greats within a few weeks and the death of Jabu Khanyile is one that cannot go unpublished. Jabu Khanyile has always been one of Editorista’s favourite African musicians – her good friend Pamela Nkosi worked closely with his band Bayete in the late 90’s and so Edi spent lots of time at concert… s and hanging with the band. He was also one of the first public figures we knew of with two wives which was interesting to observe. Sadly Jabu Khanyile passed away this weekend after suffering from cancer and diabetes at his home in Soweto. The saddest part about this is that we only find out about his illness once he is gone (unless we missed previous press on this). Jabu was a magnetic and powerful live performer and his music is enjoyed by people all over the world, with many world music lovers including him in their Top 10 list of world musicians. Jabu you will be missed but your music will keep your talent and messages alive. Our condolences to all the fans, friends and family during this difficult time. Click here for the full story from IOL: The death of Kora Award winning singer and songwriter Jabu Khanyile has shattered the local music industry. Khanyile, 49, died at his Dobsonville, Soweto, home on Saturday night after losing a battle to prostate cancer. It is only two weeks since singer Lebo Mathosa died. Lindelani Mkhize, of LME Entertainment, the record company that worked with Khanyile said he was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year and had been undergoing radiation therapy for the past five months. He also suffered from diabetes. Mkhize said Khanyile’s last performance was in July in Germany during the World Cup handover. According to Mkhize the singer died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Khanyile was married to Phindy Dlamini and Khululiwe Sithole and had seven children. At the time of his death, Khanyile was working on a new album through which, Mkhize said, he had hoped to educate men about cancer. Khanyile was born in Mofolo, Soweto. At the age of 14, he joined a group called The Daffodils as a guitarist. He shot to fame in the 80s as the leading vocalist of the Afro-fusion band, Bayete, whose hits include Mbube and Mbombela. After he went solo he released a total of eight albums, the first being Mmalo-We in 1993. “Why are we losing our musicians like this? It is terrible,” was Yvonne Chaka Chaka’s reaction. Singer...
LEBO MATHOSA WE WILL MISS YOU
Thanks to all Representers for your kind words, support and condolences. Just so you know, Lebo’s family have received all your messages, they sent us the following: “We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to South Africa and beyond – our State President Mr. Thabo Mbeki, all the dignitaries who shared the dark moment with us, the music industry, the Benoni Metro police, the … media, friends and colleagues of Lebo – for the warm and emotional tribute you paid to our late beloved daughter Lebogang Precious Mathosa. As difficult as it was to accept the loss, your generous physical and emotions support humbled us and made it easier to forge through the pain Yours truly Mathosa Family and Christ the Rock Church, Daveyton.” Our thoughts are with the family who have lost their beloved sister, daughter and friend. We miss you already Lebo. What a depressing way to start the week – an early morning wake up call to tell us about the tragic loss of our favourite South African diva, the talented, sexy, vivacious, unique and much loved Lebo Mathosa. Words cannot express our shock at the news, as the phone continued to beep and ring with news of her death in a car accident apparently just after midnight last night on the East Rand somewhere, our Monday suddenly looked a whole lot more blue. Our condolences go out to her friends, to her family, her band members, her dancers, her fans, her record label, her people and everyone that is saddened by her loss. Lebo, Represent loves you. More info...
John Barker – the man behind Bunny Chow
Since Gavin Hood and his cast did us proud by scooping the Oscar for Best Foreign Film in March, the local film circuit has been pretty quiet till now. The latest buzz is director John Barker’s new film Bunny Chow that is soon to premier at the Toronto Film Festival this September. Represent sends a special Big ups to Bunny Chow and everyone behind it! Written by:NG> John Barker and David Kibuuka Based on a story by: David Kibuuka, John Barker, Salah Sabiti and Joey Rasdien. Starring : Kim Engelbrecht, Kagiso Lediga, David Kibuuka, Salah Sabiti and Joey Rasdien Produced by: Kagiso Lediga and Leanne Callanan of Dog Pack Films and Michelle Wheatley We had breakfast with director John Barker to chat about his film and the industry: What does John Barker as a brand represent? J.B – I am still trying to create a brand. I’m trying to put a face to a name and get to the level where people recognise the name and associate it with great films. I want to get to the “it’s a JOHN BARKER film” level. My brand is about bringing people together. The urban market, the Color Bar crowd that have no issues about race or any hang-ups. I want to develop that kind of following.Do you believe in film school? J.B – I was an editor for a year, cameraman for four years, a runner in London on a morning show, and a graphic designer for a year. So I was self-taught. I believe more in that approach, because it exposes you to the different disciplines in making a filmmaking. Film schools are great, the problem is I don’t feel people are well equipped to choose what they want to do after matric. They don’t have a point of reference. I recon every kid should go overseas for a year before they decide what to do with their lives. How long have you been directing? And what projects have you worked on before this? J.B – It’s been 5 years now. I started off directing inserts for Channel O in South Africa on Hip Hop which was really cool. Then I directed several music videos. In the meantime, I was writing and directing short films. I then worked on a few TV shows, the Pure Monate Show being one of them. During that time, I gained a lot of experience because we would shoot about 5 to 10 comedy sketches a day. I worked with the most talented comedians in this country and that was a great blessing. The pressure I was under helped me deal with the pressure one...
Catch Zubz & Dj Hamma @ Roka tonight
We love watching Uju and Pesheya 😉 at Roka on Thursday nights for some seriously soulful funk… Looks like the lineup is diversifying with more live music on every second Thursday. Movement Live – Thursday 2nd Nov @ Roka (old Color Bar) Movement Live is the new series of live entertainment events hosted at Roka (the old Color Bar), every second Thursday, featuring SA’s top live acts and DJs. … The next event will be held on Thursday the 2nd November when Zubz will take to the stage supported by DJ Hamma and the Spindle Crew. Date: Thursday 2nd November Venue: Roka (old Color Bar) – 44 Stanley Ave, Milpark Entrance: R20 before 20h30 and R40 thereafter Info: 076-590-0564 or MovementMedia@gmail.com Websites: www.RokaLounge.com www.myspace.com/NextMovement www.myspace.com/BLKJKS Zubz An MC of the highest caliber, known for his inspired lyrical commentary and genius songwriting, Zubz is Hip Hop’s alternative to the current status quo. Without conforming to the general commercialism associated with modern hip-hop, his 2nd album is due for release soon on Outrageous Records. Spindle Crew – DJ Hamma, U-Looz & Tha Cutt Capetonian turntablist legend DJ Hamma and his posse responsible for the killer VCD series doing its rounds in Jozi, Vol 4 out now! Dropping everything from Funk & Jazz to the illest Hip-Hop....
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