Whatshot
A conversation in jazz with Khaya Mahlangu and Salim Washington
A conversation in jazz with Khaya Mahlangu and Salim Washington
The renowned saxophone players, Khaya Mahlangu and Salim Washington Quintet will visit Luthuli Museum in Groutville on Friday 31 August at 6pm.
For these performances Mahlangu and Washington will be accompanied by a talented backing band consisting of Neil Gonsalves on keys, Dalisu Ndlazi on bass, and Stanley Matlou on drums.
Saxophonist, percussionist and composer Mahlangu is a top-league artist, having worked with artists like Hugh Masekela, Tsepo Tshola, Busi Mhlongo, Vusi Khumalo, Moses Molelekwa, Caiphus Semenya, Letta Mbulu, Jonas Gwangwa and guesting on many recordings. He was part of Afro-pop group Harari, The Jazz Ministers and Spirits Rejoice. Mahlangu co-founded one of South Africa's greatest Afro-fusion bands, Sakhile, in 1982 and in 1998 formed Iconoclast with Victor Ntoni, Hilton Schilder, and Vusi Khumalo. 2001 was also an important year for him. "Bejazzled", a jazz TV program which ran for 13 weeks, offered Mahlangu the opportunity to work as Musical Director- and he also composed the show's signature tune.
Salim Washington's story of jazz saxophonist/composer/scholar/activist paints a harlequin voyage in search of one's roots. His parents were born and raised in the sharecropper plantations of Mississippi, met in Caperville, Tennessee, got married and moved to Detroit with hopes of a better future. Prof Washington is a composer, and multi-instrumentalist, playing saxophone, flute, oboe and bass clarinet. Washington has played as a jazz musician throughout The United States, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and has performed and recorded with many of jazz's greatest luminaries. As implied by the name of the band, Washington has emigrated from jazz's epicentre, New York, to make South Africa his home.
This series of performances by Mahlangu and Washington is part of the Concerts SA Venue Circuit which aims to foster a love and support for live music in our communities, as well as anchor small and medium-sized venues in urban and rural Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape.
Working with musicians, promoters, venue owners and audiences, and providing support to the sector through research and skills development for music professionals, the project aims to build a vibrant and viable live music circuit in southern Africa. It also aims to develop an interest in and appreciation of live music by showcasing music performances and conducting workshops at schools.
Entrance for each concert is R30 at the door.