A collaborative music exchange project is set to hit the stage in Cape Town this month, promising to take the local alternative music community by storm.
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The AfroDiaspora Connection is a collaborative effort launched by The Dig, South Africa’s alternative music development agency and Jazz re:freshed, a pioneering grassroots jazz organisation.
The event aims to establish a cross-cultural music community between South Africa, the UK and African diaspora communities, bridging cultural divides, sparking creative dialogue and showcasing African and Afrodiasporic talent.
It also aims to celebrate and highlight the burgeoning jazz and alternative music scenes from both countries, Bizcommunity reports.
The AfroDiaspora Connection will include couch sessions, workshops, performances and studio sessions in Cape Town and Johannesburg from 23 to 26 May.
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‘As a Black-led music organisation in the diaspora, Jazz re:freshed touching down in the motherland is an exciting and important milestone in our 20-year journey,’ says Yvette Griffith, chief executive and executive director of Jazz re:freshed.
‘We’re very proud to be heading to (…) South Africa and Eswatini with two trailblazers of Jazz in the UK alongside Sifiso Gcabashe and The Dig whose work we deeply admire and hope to build long-lasting fruitful connections.’
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The first performance will take place in Cape Town, featuring Kozo Zwane and Cape Town-based Afro jazz artist Kujenga.
In Johannesburg, Durban-born trumpet player, composer, arranger and multi-award winner Ndabo Zulu will take the stage on 26 May with Thandi Ntuli, the Soshanguve-born vocalist, pianist, composer and innovator.
This is some of what you can look forward to:
- On 23 May, DJ Night will host a couch session at the Gorgeous George Hotel between 7pm and 11pm.
- On 24 May, the main event in Cape Town will be held at Youngblood Africa Gallery from 7pm until late.
- On 26 May, the event will be held at the Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct in Johannesburg between 12pm and 10pm.
London-based Jazztronica duo and Grammy award winner Blue Lab Beats and Nigerian-born saxophonist, composer, band leader and educator Camila George will be featured at both events.
Sifiso Gcabashe, The Dig’s founder, says making music and cultural connections between African artists and Afrodiasporic artists is not new. ‘With this event, we aim to open up market access and performance opportunities for UK artists to perform in South Africa and for South African artists to gain exposure to the UK alternative music scene.
‘Increasing opportunities for young creatives and marginalised communities to gain first-hand experience and share their talent on a global scale is the ultimate goal.’
Details:
- Date: Friday, 24 May
- Location: Young Blood Gallery, 70, 72 Bree St, Cape Town City Centre
- Tickets: Quicket
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Picture: Gift Habeshaw / Unsplash