Iconic
South African Jazz Idols reunite at Emperors Palace
The Jazz Epistles were South Africa's earliest most influential Jazz (bebop) band. This was an all-black, all esteemed band of
young, swaggered men consisting of these world-famous names. Abdullah Ibrahim
(then known as Dollar Brand) on piano,
Hugh Masekela on trumpet, Jonas Gwangwa
on trombone, Kippie Moeketsi – on alto saxophone, Johnny Gertze on bass, Makaya Ntshoko
and Early Mabuza on drums.
The band was in full
swing in the 1960s, the height of terror on the black man. These gentlemen were
young, smart, creatives and jazz- cool. After
time and a lot of heated practice, they emerged as a resistant, anti-apartheid
music group. Jamming into the late and fuzzy nights on the streets of
Sophiatown, especially at the Jazz at the
Odin Club, they morphed into the legendary Jazz Epistles. Their adoring fans were mesmerized by their yellows,
blues and reds resonating as the piece strolls, swims, dips and swings. Their
music filled the dusty streets of the townships and fired the hearts of the
youth who were adamant to stand-up for a South Africa that is free and fair.
The electric high-life of the Jazz Epistles was short-lived after a group spat.
After years in exile and liberated South Africa it is
only now in 2016; for the first time in 60 years that these two iconic jazz instrumentalists
and South African global jazz ambassadors; Abdullah Ibrahim and Hugh Masekela
will reunite and perform on one stage in solidarity and recognition of all
those who were a part of the historical 1976 youth march, the Jazz Epistles are
reuniting to celebrate the 40th year anniversary of the June 16 and
22 years of South Africa’s democracy. These two human rights activists,
apartheid fighters and global icons have seen it all. Their music has played a
huge role in liberating South Africa from apartheid and continues to influence
the global jazz landscape.
“The last time Adbullah and I played as the Jazz
Epistles was in 1960.We look forward to this concert and pay tribute to the
Jazz Epistles. We are plotting secrets and happy surprises for our audience. We
are calmly excited and greatly looking forward to sharing the stage after such
a long time.” enthuses Hugh Masekela
For 2 nights ONLY on June 15th and 16th these legendary icons will
be joined by EKAYA JAZZ BAND. They will
each perform their individual sets on stage at Emperors Palace, Centre Court
Arena in the Convention Centre and then
collaborate in a much anticipated never been experienced grand finale. They
will time travel into the nostalgia and perform together; however this time, in
a modern and colourful South Africa they could have only dreamt of in their
days together.
Tickets are available from R480 and can be purchased
through the Emperors Palace Box Office on 011 928
1297/1213, or by visiting www.emperorspalace.com
or www.ticketpro.co.za.
Emperors Palace is a Peermont resort. Like us on Facebook or follow
us on Twitter @emperorspalace.
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