Our Heritage - Mervyn Africa featuring Jitsvinger (Evening Show)
Sat Sep 24, 19:00 - Sat Sep 24, 21:00
The Star Theater at HCC
ABOUT
On the 24th of September, Jitsvinger continues his collaboration with Cape Jazz Maestro and District Six music legend Mervyn Africa, following their Smoortjies & Smoothies live performances at Artscape Theater, through a storytelling, ballad-laced, rap riffed concerto experience. Blazing the trail of our living musical heritage they fuse musical styles to bridge the generational gap through sound.
“Our Heritage” at the HCC: Homecoming Centre in collaboration with the District Six Museum Foundation and Eastern Acoustics is a continuation and celebration of the past, present and a look to the future at the Star Theater.
Leaving his homeland of South Africa in 1981, Mervyn settled in the U.K. searching out work in the bands of fellow exiles such as trumpeter Hugh Masekela, percussionist Julian Bahula and saxophonist Dudu Pukwana. With drummer Brian Abrahams and Russel Herman he was a co-founder of the Afro/jazz group District Six. Africa creates sumptuous piano improvisation and composition drawing from his rich cultural and musical background. He draws on influences ranging from classics or carnival songs through township jazz to a Malay musical musical heritage. His performance style, in which songs or storytelling might enter a concert just as naturally as a host of musical directions, leaves the audience in no doubt about his dynamic, direct approach.
“Lyrically, Jitsvinger does not shy away from the violence of Khoe displacement and erasure or the complexity of identity. But this conscious artist is not without levity. The pendulum swings from the heavy memory of Casspirs to the whimsy of butterflies. The show is unapologetically Kaaps with charismatic stage presence, jas (impressive) instrumentals and immaculate flow. The confluence creates a rustig (effortless) vibe that can escalate into harrowing commentary one minute and then de-escalate to a warmly familiar sound you can jazz to in the kitchen. Smile is my personal favourite Jitsvinger track, and the trio had the audience singing the chorus. Of course, I smaaked (wanted) to jazz to this upbeat nomma, but it wasn’t that kind of party. Another popular fave is Breinsuiker from the EP Jitsologie available for streaming on Spotify. Jitsvinger explains that this sensuous track is about caressing your mind. This sultry binneboud song can be dangerous on rainy nights.” – Mia Arderne
Mevyn and Jitsvinger will be accompanied by the Jitsvinger Ensemble: Winston Siljeur (keys), Chante Phillips (drums) and Grant van Rooyen (bass) with special guest musicians Muneeb Hermans and Zeke Le Grange on brass.
Merchandise on sale during performance!