29 November 2023
MIAGI Orchestra together with Ensemble Modern from Germany at the ISCM World New Music Days organised by New Music SA
The sweetest violin/guitar duo 
Ensemble Modern violinist with young guitar student relaxed in between the rehearsals with the MIAGI Orchestra in the courtyard of the Morris Isaacson Centre for Music.
The concert took place at the end of November in the context of the ISCM World New Music Days organised by New Music SA.
Thank you to MIAGI Orchestra's cellist/conductor Tsepo Pooe for the video snippet!
August 28, 2023 Bokamoso Arts Institute in collaboration with MIAGI 'Music is a great Investment':
Ukraine Ambassador to South Africa, Liubov Abravitova rehearsed with the Bokamoso Choir ahead of their performance of the Ukraine National Anthem at the Ukraine Embassy in Pretoria on 28 August 2023, in commemoration of Ukraine independence Day, 24 August.
The Bokamoso Choir from Mabopane won big at the 12th World Choir Games in South Korea this year, bringing home three gold medals.
June 2023 MIAGI Composer's Give and Take Think-Tank exploring the African Footprint together with instructors from the University for Music and Performing Arts Vienna, in preparation for the MIAGI Orchestra Tour of Europe 2024.
The Think-Tank formed part of MIAGI's collaboration with the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna - Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien (mdw). This time around, mdw's lecturers and super powerhouse musicians David Panyl and Markus Geiselhart came to explore the African Footpring together with a selection of MIAGI's super powerhouse musicians, Viwe Mkizwana, Tshepo Tsotetsi, Sibusiso Sibanyoni, Nhlanhla Mahlangu, Sikhumbuzo Mbehle and Musawenkosi Mdluli. It was a "good hang with lots of breaking of bread" 
Thank you to the Austrian Embassy in Pretoria and to mdw, Wits Music and the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union!
September 2022 in Khayelitsha - MIAGI hosted a Group of German parliamentarians and representatives from one of our major funders, the Barbara und Wilfried Mohr-Stiftung
A group of German parliamentarians and representatives from the Barbara und Wilfried Mohr-Stiftung visited Cape Town. MIAGI hosted the delegation in Khayelitsha, showing the group our ECD project at Khumbulani day care centre, and several other schools and community initiatives in Khayelitsha. Together with our education partner in the Cape, Muzukidz, also since 2018 generously funded by the Barbara and Wilfried Mohr-Stiftung, we organised an event with performances by the Muzukidz at The Good Hope Seminary Primary School in Vredenhoek.
Wednesday 7 December 2022 - MIAGI at the German-African Business Summit - Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg
Members of the MIAGI Orchestra joined by members of the UJ Choir performed the German National Anthem, the African Union Anthem and the South African National Anthem at the German-African Business Summit 2022 in Johannesburg. Thank you to Robert Bosch (PTY) LTD for the on-going support of MIAGI's work.
Conductor: Jaco Van Staden
UJ Choir preparation: UJ Choir conductor, Renette Bouwer
Special arrangements of the music for our ensemble by:
Viwe Mkizwana
Excerpt of the performance:
'A Bubble is a nice Friend to have'. Original composition by Tshepo Tsotetsi. Orchestration by David Panzl.
Music video production released in 2022 by MIAGI in collaboration with the University for Music and Performing Arts Vienna - Universität für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Wien (mdw)
About 'The Bubble'
Most people know the saying that dreams are often like soap bubbles and can easily burst. This music video 'A Bubble is a nice Friend to have', is about these soap bubbles and the fact that, although you are aware of their fragility, it is extremely important to have dreams and to live them. In the video, the “Bubble” is sent on a journey from the Morris Isaacson Center for Music in Soweto. Supported by energetic drum rhythms, she made her way to Vienna and was duly received by the mdw percussion ensemble.
In the further course, the mdw drumline is also added to the ensemble. A body of music commonly associated with boosting the morale and fighting spirit of ball sports teams. In this case, the drumline fires up the bubble, because without a fighting spirit and the necessary commitment, no idea would blossom. After a brief return to its roots, the bubble undergoes a metamorphosis in the form of a rhythmic modulation and is then ceremoniously carried to the finish line in a new, fresh tempo by virtuoso improvisations, where it is received by the ensemble tutti and euphorically celebrated.
As artistic director of the production, David Christopher Panzl, Multipercussionist', internationally celebrated performer/composer and concert percussion lecturer at the mdw, has been working with MIAGI for several years. The collaboration between MIAGI and Panzl has now resulted in a music video that was commissioned to emphasize the intercultural and transdisciplinary aspect as well as the potential of international collaboration. In the further course of the project, the mdw could also be won as a valuable partner and so nothing stood in the way of production. An original composition by the musician and composer Tshepo Tsotetsi, which Panzl arranged, orchestrated and supplemented with other parts, served as the musical foundation. The video was recorded in several sessions, both in Johannesburg and in Vienna. The great logistical effort was also determined by Corona, which meant that the musicians were not allowed to travel as planned to perform together. The individual recording sessions had to be conducted and synchronized with the click of a button so that they could come together as a whole later in the production process. All technical hurdles could be overcome thanks to mdw's great AV team. The result was a music video that is well worth seeing, which, in addition to energetic music, also succeeds in showing the atmosphere of the various locations. The video celebrated its official release on May 31 at a gala concert for the 21st anniversary of MIAGI in the Joseph Haydn Hall of the mdw under the patronage of Doris Schmidauer. The artistic framework of this evening was created by the celebrated opera singer Pretty Yende, accompanied by Hyung-Ki Joo, and a MIAGI Jazz Ensemble 'MIAGI Jazz Cats' together with the mdw Percussion Ensemble.
Tuesday 31 May 2022
MIAGI 21 Year Anniversary celebrations in Vienna under the patronage and in the presence of Austria's First Lady, Doris Schmidauer
The presentation, which included performances by celebrated opera singer Pretty Yende, accompanied by Hyung-Ki Joo, and a MIAGI Jazz Ensemble 'MIAGI Jazz Cats' together with the University for Music and Performing Arts Vienna - Universität für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Wien (mdw) Percussion Ensemble, took place in May 2022 under patronage and in presence of Austria's First Lady Doris Schmidauer.
Saturday 28 May 2022
Body and soul elevating music to celebrate Africa Month - Concert with the MIAGI Pan African Ensemble instrumentalists and vocalists at Charity Faith & Mission Church in Mamelodi
18 - 23 February 2022
A cultural exchange project between MIAGI and the University for Music in Vienna, MDW - Universität fuer Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien under the patronage of Doris Schmidauer, Spouse of Austria's President, Alexander Van der Bellen
The project started to take shape on the weekend 18 to 20 February in Gauteng when musicians from MIAGI Orchestra and the MDW Ensemble got together to play & create & record, building step by step a unique live and online event.
The public will be invited to join this diamond of a show in due course, the first in a series of projects in planning, all under the patronage of Doris Schmidauer.
A special thank you to the Austrian Embassy in Pretoria for the Embassy's generous contribution towards covering of costs for this preparation phase.
17 November 2021
MIAGI launched the Pan-African MIAGI African Ensemble, presented by Afreximbank, at the Intra-African Trade Fare (IATF) in Durban
Youthful energy inspired by the music from the African continent - witnessed the birth of an ensemble, specially created for the IATF - MIAGI Orchestra members together with singer, songwriter Ade Bantu and members of BANTU from Nigeria - this 21 piece ensemble did not only entertain but exposed the audience to special sounds which they have not experienced before.
MIAGI Pan African Ensemble at the IATF - Excerpt from 'Missing Soest' by Musawenkosi Mdluli:
Afreximbank wrote in their press-release: "Afreximbank is committed to supporting Africa's Creative and Cultural industries and believes that this event showcased the beauty of African diversity through collaboration and blending of sounds across the vast African landscape. This event brought a Cultural appreciation and displayed the importance of people to people diplomacy in breaking down barriers and improving interactions between Africans.
BANTU - Ade Bantu - MIAGI Pan-African Ensemble:
3 November 2021 at the Robert Bosch Stiftung in Berlin - MIAGI Presentation under the Patronage of Elke Büdenbender, Spouse of Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of Germany
Excerpt from the Speech by
Elke Büdenbender
Performance by the Footprint Trio
Tshepo Tsotetsi, Saxophone
Siyolise Nyondo, Double bass
Brandon Ruiters, Trumpet
Video Compilation by MIAGI
Organisation/Assistance: artundimage.de
27 September 2021
Freedom Festival with Bobi Wine, Ade Bantu, Zolani Mahola, MIAGI Orchestra and MICM Musicians
The Freedom Festival : 27 September 2021
Change Through Music!
Sub-Saharan Africa
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in collaboration with Nigerian musicians BANTU, Ugandan musician and opposition leader Bobi Wine, South African musician Zolani Mahola (The One Who Sings) and the MIAGI Youth Orchestra will be broadcasting the virtual Freedom Festival titled "Change through Music” on 27 September 2021 at 13:00 CAT.
Through their music, BANTU and Bobi Wine call for tolerance, the right to freedom of speech and freedom of expression. The musicians openly speak out against corruption and injustice in their countries and in the region. Their questioning and critical response to what they consider human rights violations have led to arrests, indictments, torture and strict surveillance especially that of Bobi Wine.
In the effort of promoting freedom of expression and freedom of speech, FNF Africa and the musicians will be recording and releasing the Freedom Festival concert, which will feature three solo musical performance from the three musicians and one collaboration performance. The musicians will be backed up by the MIAGI Youth Orchestra. The musical performance will feature songs that address issues of human rights violations, corruption, xenophobia and autocratic leadership in Africa. The recording will take place at the Morris Isaacson Centre for Music, MICM, located on the premises of the Morris Isaacson School. Nigerian musicians BANTU will featuring virtually whilst Bobi Wine and Zolani Mahola will be recording from the Morris Isaacson Centre for Music in Soweto. A preview release is expected on 15 September, which is International Day of Democracy.
FNF Africa and Bobi Wine released a successful virtual human rights and political participation awareness concert last year. It is the success of the concert from 2020 has encouraged the Foundation to explore working with the musicians whom we believe will give a greater voice to the messages we are promoting through this event. #CHANGETHROUGHMUSIC #FNFREEDOMFESTIVAL
Date: 27 September 2021
Time: 13:00 - 14:00 CAT
Location: Facebook and YouTube [Freedom Foundation Africa]
Thank you Bosch Africa!
With this video, 'Rainbow Dance' by Viwe Mkizwana, recorded in partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom at the Market Theatre on November 12, 2020 we want to thank Bosch Africa for their on-going support
Tsepo Pooe at the Nobel Week Dialogue, 9 December 2020
Watch the The Nobel Prize's video from the event: "Tsepo Pooe, talks about the importance and influence of South Africa's MIAGI Orchestra with Laura Sprechmann, CEO of Nobel Prize Outreach"
"Finishing an unfinished Symphony"
On Thursday 12 November MIAGI and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation presented a livestreamed roundtable event at the Market Theatre.
Read more about the distinguished panelists below!
The MIAGI documentary film 'An unfinished Symphony' that was premiered by The Nobel Prize and National Geographic formed the outgoing point for the roundtable discussion.
There was also live music performances by MIAGI's young musicians.
THE PANELISTS
LAURA SPRECHMANN, SWEDEN Laura Sprechmann is CEO for Nobel Prize Outreach AB, the company that aims to spread knowledge and raise interest in the Nobel Prize-awarded achievements to a global audience, through digital media and international events. Previously, Laura has worked as a Senior Consultant in strategic communication and within the media industry as journalist. She has also experience of working as Content Manager for an e-learning company as well as a position as Media Analyst. She holds an MBA in International Management from the University of London and a BA in Communications. Laura is Executive Producer of the documentary film ‘An unfinished Symphony’ that was world premiered in May 2020 by The Nobel Prize and National Geographic.
ZOLANI MAHOLA, SOUTH AFRICA Zolani Mahola is a South African singer, songwriter, guitarist, actress, film score composer, storyteller and transformational speaker. She has been the lead singer of the internationally acclaimed South African music group Freshlyground since 2002 to 2019. On 15 August 2019, Mahola officially announced the launch of her solo career as a musician, storyteller and public speaker.
BRIAN CURRIN, SOUTH AFRICA South African lawyer Brian Currin has been described internationally as a veteran of peace processes that bring civil conflicts to an end. The head of the National Directorate of Lawyers for Human Rights between 1987 and 1994, Currin played a key role in establishing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa. Currin was further the lawyer who first revealed evidence of police hit squads in the late 80s and he has played a key role in the Zondo Commission’s state capture investigation. He was the crucial link between the whistle-blowers in possession of the Gupta family’s leaked emails and getting these into the public domain by using his networks in civil society and the wider world of human rights to help get the whistle-blower’s stories told and turned into documents of law – affidavits. His work in the wider field of human rights law saw Currin establish a global practice in peacebuilding. He has worked in Northern Ireland, Spain’s Basque Country and most recently in Colombia. In Germany on a recent fellowship in Berlin, Currin studied trends in private-public sector relationship and how they reflect political order or political decay.
MARTIN SCHÄFER, GERMANY Martin Schäfer, German Ambassador to South Africa holds numerous Degrees, in Economics, Social Sciences, Political Sciences, History, Sociology and Administration. He also holds a master’s degree in Social Sciences from the University of Montpellier and a PhD in Law from the University of Münster. Ambassador Schäfer has held various positions at the German Foreign office and been positioned among others in Kiev and Santiago de Chile before in October 2017 being appointed German Ambassador to South Africa, Lesotho and eSwatini.
AISHA DEME, SENEGAL Aisha Dème a Senegalese cultural entrepreneur and a strong voice of cultural activism in Africa. Aisha is the out-going Chairwoman and founding board member of Music In Africa, a foundation that raised $2M+ and worked across 40 countries to promote and support the African music industry. Previously, she co-founded and led AgenDakar.com in 2009, the first online portal dedicated to promoting and showcasing the Senegalese art and music scene. She is now focused Siriworo, her most recent venture, structuring art and culture projects (festivals, visual art exhibitions, poetry/...etc) as well as incubating and accelerating an emerging wave of outstanding cultural entrepreneurs in Africa with the project PEYTEL.
ONYANGO OTIENO, KENYA Onyango Otieno is a Mental Health Advocate, writer and poet as well as the Co-Founder of Fatuma’s Voice Foundation, an African educational forum based in Kenya that uses art and dialogue to encourage expression and create unity in diversity. Fatuma’s Voice drives for community-based social change by encouraging creative expression and sparking conversations about social issues. The forum is run by local youth to encourage expression within their communities using tools like art, poetry and music, media, debate, and theatre.
MARKUS THILL, EUROPE Since mid-2014, Dr. Thill is responsible for Bosch’s business in Africa, reporting directly to Bosch Group management. Prior to co-founding Bosch’s global venture arm as managing director in 2007, he worked as Vice President of Bosch's global corporate strategy department. Before joining Bosch, Markus was a senior manager in leading strategy consulting firms, heading and implementing projects on strategic and operational issues as well as M&A around the globe. His clients encompassed Global Fortune 500, mid-caps, and start-up companies as well as private equity and venture capital firms. Markus holds university degrees in mathematics and physics, including a doctorate (“summa cum laude”) from Université de Paris (France). He is fluent in English, German, and French, and has a good working knowledge of several other languages.
ABOUT THE FRIEDRICH NAUMANN FOUNDATION The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom is a foundation in the Federal Republic of Germany and 60 countries world-wide devoted to the promotion of liberal principles and to political education. The goal of the foundation is to advance the principles of freedom and dignity for all people in all areas of society, both in Germany and abroad.
ROUNDTABLE HOST: BONGANI BINGWA, SOUTH AFRICA Bongani Bingwa is the host of the Breakfast show on the South African radio station 702. Before this, for the last ten years, he has been a presenter and journalist for South Africa’s longest running investigative television programme Carte Blanche. He has interviewed thought leaders, senior politicians, and captains of industry, authors, celebrities and high-flyers on the global stage. Not a few wrongdoers have come under the glare of his probing questioning for the show. He studied politics and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from UNISA.
22 May 2020 - The Nobel Prize and National Geographic premiering documentary featuring MIAGI Orchestra in the context of the legacy of Nelson Mandela
Bundesjugendorchester 'BJO' - the National Youth Orchestra of Germany visited South Africa 8 to 16 August 2019
Photo - BJO: Annette Boerger
MIAGI's wonderful partner, the National Youth Orchestra of Germany, ‘BJO' toured South Africa from 8 to 16 August 2019. This 90 member orchestra comprises the most talented young musicians in Germany, and is world renowned for its artistic excellence and has long become one of Germany’s finest representatives.
The tour was coordinated by MIAGI, and the major events were presented in collaboration with the KZN Philharmonic, Johannesburg Philharmonic, Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestras and the Faculty for the Arts of the University of Pretoria. Apart from participating in community events, interacting with their South African counterparts, the orchestra performed in three major cities.
Durban City Hall, 9 August 16h00
Aula of the University of Pretoria 13 August 20h00 (please see poster below)
Cape Town City Hall, 15 August 20h00
Conductor: Alexander Shelley, Principal Associate Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London and the Orchestra of the National Arts Centre in Canada
Soloist, award winning soulful singer, songwriter Msaki
Programme:
William Walton: Johannesburg Festival Overture
Hendrik Hofmeyr: Three Sangoma Songs (soloist: Msaki)
George Gershwin: Porgy & Bess, Symphonic Picture for Orchestra (arr. Robert Russel Bennet)
Johannes Brahms: Symphony N. 2 in D Major, Op. 73
Other events with BJO
9 August 10h00 - Workshop with the Kwa-Zulu Natal Philharmonic Youth Orchestra at Durban City Hall
9 August 16h00 - Morris Isaacson Centre for Music (MICM) in Soweto - Women's Day Concert (two vocal ensembles, Germany's Sjaella and South Africa's Just 6 that will later in the year be performing in Germany with the Bundesjugendorchester. In Soweto they will be joined by Wits Choir). Please see poster below.
11 August 15h00 - University of Pretoria, Conductors' Workshop with Alexander Shelley and the University of Pretoria conducting students.
12 August 16h00 - Bundesjugendorchester in Concert at Morris Isaacson Centre for Music in Soweto.
13 August 10h00 - HeronBridge College - Robert Maxym gives a lecture for the Bundesjugendorchester members on a monumental work in which creation process he actively took part. Topic: Mzilikazi Khumalo's epic oratorio USHAKA, KASENZANGAKHONA .
14 August 18h00 - Community Concert at Spier Wine Estate organised by the Living Arts Foundation.
Linder Auditorium - Benefit Concert
20 March 2019
The stunning young violin virtuoso Jiafeng Chen, performed for our Arco distance learning programme.
Thank you Jiafeng Chen!
The Arco programme is run in collaboration with the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire at the recently renamed Cape Gate MIAGI Centre for Music, now: Morris Isaacson Centre for Music.
Jiafeng Chen, a prize winner at the Sibelius, Wieniawski, Indianapolis, Menuhin and Queen Elisabeth International Violin Competion, studied with Jan Repko, Cho-Liang Lin and Ronald Copes at London's Royal College of Music and the Juilliard, New York. His solo engagements have included performances with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra and the National Orchestra of Belgium. Link below to Jiafeng's performance of Sibeliu's violin concerto with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra at the international Sibelius Violin Competition finals.
MIAGI Orchestra performed at ZK Matthews Hall in Pretoria on 30 November 2018. The event was filmed for a Documentary on MIAGI / MIAGI Orchestra that will be released internationally at renowned film festivals towards middle of 2019.
See an excerpt from the concert here. MIAGI Orchestra performing Beethoven's Egmont Overture, Conductor: Daniel Spaw.
Special recognition of MIAGI's work - MIAGI was awarded the European Cultural Award, a prestigious international award that goes to especially worthy individuals and organisations from many walks of life, awarded by the Foundation PRO EUROPA:
At a festive award ceremony, on 3 August at the Konzerthaus in Berlin, MIAGI Youth Orchestra was awared the prestigious Yoeurope-award (Your Europe) of the European Cultural Foundation PRO EUROPA.
Excerpt from PRO EUROPA Foundations motivational text: This award honours the outstanding youth orchestra, MIAGI Youth Orchestra, from ‘Music is a great Investment‘, MIAGI a not-for-profit organisation founded in 2001. The organisation and its young musicians stand among others for an inspiring support of the today more then necessary dialogue between people of different cultures, colors and religions as well as between Africa and Europe.
Earlier PRO EUROPA award recipients have included: Astrid Lindgren, Daniel Barenboim, Berliner Philharmoniker, Pierre Boulez, Jean-Claude Juncker, Baltic Sea Youth Philharmonic, Placido Domingo, Mary Robinson and The St Petersburg Dialogue represented by Michail Gorbatchov and Lothar de Maiziere.
Left: The PRO EUROPA Yoeurope-award Right: MIAGI and representatives from the PRO EUROPA Foundation socializing in the Beethoven Hall after the award ceremony
MIAGI Youth Orchestra celebrated Nelson Mandela Centenary 2018 ‘Be the Legacy’ 6 July to 3 August - the tour was a phenomenal success!
MIAGI Youth Orchestra undertook its fifth European tour with 16 major concerts in 6 European countries. The orchestra ‘with a difference’ with members of diverse backgrounds, playing with a warmth of spirit that is infectious and inspiring, promises a great future for South Africa and the world.
Prominent Speakers at the events and venues in the context of the MIAGI Youth Orchestra Nelson Mandela Centenary celebration concerts:
President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani
Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany, Heiko Maas
Minister of Culture of the Federal Republic of Germany, Kultursenator Klaus Lederer
Ambassador of South Africa to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxenbourg and the Mission to the European Union, Baso Sangqu
Ambassador of South Africa to the Federal Republic of Germany, Phumelele Stone Sizani
Consul General of South Africa in Munich, Georgoe Monyemangene
Special Advisor to President Ramaphosa, Khulu Mbatha
MIAGI Goodwill Ambassador, Ambassador Nozipho January-Bardill
Prof. Dr. h. c. mult. Reinhold Wuerth of the Wuerth Group
Audience picking up their ordered tickets at the box office of the stunning Elbphilharmonie concert hall, Hamburg, Germany - MIAGI Youth Orchestra 100 Years Mandela / Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival
The tour took us to following festivals and venues:
April 11 2018 MIAGI at Global Child Forum in Sweden
MIAGI had the privilege and joy to spend a hugely informative and inspirational day, hosted by the Swedish Royal Family at The Royal Palace in Stockholm, Sweden, where the 10th Global Child Forum 2018 was held.
Global Child Forum was founded by the Swedish Royal family and over 300 participants from around the world gathered to discuss child rights issues. Participants represented global companies, financial institutions, civil society, the UN, academia and government.
Wednesday March 28, 2018 @ 16h00
Cape Gate MIAGI Centre for Music, 5635 Mtembu Street
(behind the Morris Isaacson High School in Soweto)
The Public Arco Festival Concert at CMCM with Performances by Arco Students and Teachers
Our March Arco Festival took place from 24 to 29 March 2018 - follow this link to find out more about our Arco programme in collaboration with the Royal Birmingham Conservatoir in the UK.
Thursday March 1, 2018
Renowned choir and choral conductor from Stockholm
visited our music centre!
Interactive workshop / concert with conductor Bengt Ollen and members of the youthful choir from Stockholms Musikgymnasium (a school specializing in offering the students high quality music education, in addition to general school subjects)...and... with the Morris Isaacson High School Choir also joining in, to perform for our very special guests and sing Shosholoza together with them - Thank you to all performers and participants and a very special thank you to everybody who helped with the arrangements!
Soweto Jazz Explosion took place on Sunday 4th February 2018 at Cape Gate MIAGI Centre for Music behind the Morris Isaacson High School - 5635 Mtembu Street, Jabavu, Soweto.
With Steve Dyer, Tshepo Tsotetsi, Sibusiso Sibanyoni, Themba Mokoena, Prince Lengoasa, Khaya Mahlangu, Mongezi Lungsta, Christine Msibi, Sibusiso Lerole, Bhekinkosi Hlatshwayo among others.
Mantswe a Marabi (Voices of Marabi) + a celebration of the feel good South Africa marabi sound by Steve Dyer. Marabi's roots date back to the tonwship shebeens of the 1920s and 1930s and is a catchy, highly danceable sound that is influenced by American jazz, ragitme and bles. Internationally renowned szxophonist and flautist Steve Dyer lead a six-piece band at this Marabi tribute. The show was opened by Jack Lerole's Shukuma, a Kwela music band formed in 1994 under the leadership of Big Voice Jack Lerole in 1994 it now features Big Voice Jack Junior on pennywhistle (text by Soweto Arts). Big Voice Jack Junior teaches pennywhistle and directs the pennywhistle ensembles at our music centre.
Below the photo please watch the video about the event with music and an interview featuring Steve Dyer, Prince Lengoasa and Friends on Morning Live!
