Freedom Day celebrates Jazz with Carlo Mombelli and his "Prisoners of Strange"
Sun Apr 27, 19:00 - Sun Apr 27, 20:30
The Homecoming Centre
ABOUT
Carlo Mombelli and the Prisoners of Strange:
Marcus Wyatt – horns, Maria Mombelli – voice and piano, Mark Fransman – woodwinds, Justin Badenhorst – drums, Carlo Mombelli – bass, compositions
A Sonic Journey Beyond Borders
Revered South African bassist, composer, and sonic explorer Carlo Mombelli returns with his genre-defying ensemble, The Prisoners of Strange, bringing audiences a bold and emotionally charged musical experience that bends genres and elevates improvisation to new heights.
Known for his deeply expressive bass playing and otherworldly compositions, Mombelli has built a singular voice on the global jazz and experimental music scenes. The Prisoners of Strange—a rotating collective of some of the finest musicians in South Africa and beyond—embodies his vision of music as storytelling, ritual, and rebellion.
Blending jazz, classical, avant-garde, and African idioms, the group’s sound has been described as “hauntingly beautiful,” “intellectually rich,” and “profoundly spiritual.” Their performances are known not only for virtuosity but for their emotional depth and sense of transcendence.
With a discography spanning several critically acclaimed albums, including Angels and Demons, Stories, and I Press My Spine to the Ground, Carlo Mombelli continues to push creative boundaries. The upcoming tour promises new compositions, fresh collaborations, and the unmistakable energy that has made The Prisoners of Strange a cornerstone of South African contemporary music.
About Carlo Mombelli:
A professor at Wits University’s School of Arts, Mombelli has performed and recorded with a wide range of international artists including legendary saxophonist Lee Konitz, master guitarist Mick Goodrick, Austrian virtuoso Wolfgang Muthspiel, and the celebrated Spanish drummer Jorge Rossy. These collaborations have shaped Mombelli’s distinctive voice—an otherworldly blend of jazz, classical minimalism, and African spiritual music.