Mandla Mlangeni & Friends Live at the Basement

ABOUT

Mandla Mlangeni and Friends

Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz 2019 and 2019 fellow at UWC’s Centre for Humanities Research. Mandla Mlangeni, is set to make 2024 a consequential year. Earmarked for the year  ahead are series of performances  with esteemed musicians and premiere of new material in a series of multi-disciplinary productions set to be announced shortly in the coming weeks.

Having toured extensively with the Cape Town Opera’s production of Porgy and Bess from 2009- 2014 with performances at esteemed opera houses in Europe. Mlangeni is founding member of the award winning Amandla Freedom Ensemble (Metrofm Best Jazz Album of the Year 2024) .Mlangeni’s other outfit aptly named the Tune Recreation Committee (TRC) listed as New York Times’ Best Albums for 2017 and made their debut appearance at the 2017 Cape Town International Jazz Festival. The New York Times mentions, “this alliance of young South African musicians delves into the country’s syncretic cultural heritage — then ventures beyond. You hear Balkan folk, American funk, West African high life, South African free jazz. Most of all, you hear five bristling improvisers dancing together, modelling a kind of thoughtful communion”.

Mlangeni’s earmarked performance at The Untitled Basement on Saturday the of 25^th of May is set to reacquaint with the Joburg jazz scene’s assortment of highly energetic and vibrant musicians. This outing set in the trendy district of Braamfontein will  offer a completely unique and sub-mersive  experience of Johannesburg’s hidden splendour. Not only will the performance be a fresh take on his music, the performance will be Intricately themed in line with bygone eras and the most enchanting destinations around the world, this inimitably sumptuous venue is a temple devoted to art, indulgence, and a great time.

Mlangeni brings bringing together a cutting-edge combo of Jozi’s finest musicians in the form of  Siphiwe Shiburi on drums, Amaeshi Ikechi on bass, Sanele Phakathi  on piano and special guest Khaya Mahlangu on saxophones.

About:

Fresh from a series of performances and recording with some of  New York City’s finest musicians. Mlangeni is also the recipient of 2016 Pro Helvetia Artist in Residence in Bern, Switzerland he collaborated with many esteemed musicians culminating in a SADC Album Tour Launch in 2019.  He was also a participant of the Take Five presented by SERIOUS Music UK at the Bore Place Residency in Kent England 2016. He has performed and collaborated with several distinguished jazz musicians such as both locally and abroad including but not limited to David Murray, Evan Parker, Feya Faku, Louis Moholo, Shabaka Hutchings (UK), Ganesh Geymeier (CH), Barney Rachabane, Hotstix Mabuse, Hugh Masekela, Khaya Mahlangu, Andile Yenana and Afrika Mkhize, to name a few. Mlangeni has curated several other initiatives in Johannesburg and Cape Town such as the Afrikan Freedom Principle and a host of other concert series. 

Social Media

Instagram: mandlaismlangeni

Personnel:

Mandla Mlangeni: trumpet

Khaya Mahlangu: tenor sax

Sanele Phakathi: piano

Amaeshi Ikechi : bass

Siphiwe Shiburi: drums

Event Details:

Mandla Mlangeni & Friends

Untitled Basement 

Saturday 25 May 20:00

7 Reserve St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg

DIRECTIONS