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Led By The Blues
Led By The Blues
On the first of November, the Durban International Blues Festival opens for its three night run and its 14th consecutive year. Zacks (Wilson's Wharf), the original " birthplace" of this festival, again plays host to one of Durban's most loved, annual music events. Tickets are on sale at Computicket now, R150 per person and with unreserved and limited seating, blues lovers are urged to buy tickets early.
"Blues "lends itself to a different vibe," says Tanya van Agthoven Marais, one of the event directors. "It favours smaller and more intimate environments where the audiences are up close and personal and interact if they wish, with the performer now and again." This is why the venue has been so popular and the numbers just right.
Program Director, Will Wallace has also made a few changes as time goes on and appreciates the quality of musicians -in this case blues musicians- that South Africa has to offer, Durban having an astounding calibre for this genre. This year he has made a concerted effort to include a number of local home grown musicians as well as national artists.
The Fender evening (Free evening sponsored by Fender) on 01 November showcases these formidable artists.
Also on the program and quite as formidable- although they perform along Durban Blues and Johannesburg's Jonathan Peyper on Friday 02 November, is LED.
This 3 member group of local individuals play a fusion of genres from Blues to pop to funk usually and lead vocalist and guitarist Eston Lloyd, has performed on tour with South African recording artists Lloyd Cele and Lenski Alfred. He has also performed with many gospel and secular artists. Eston has featured on The Voice South Africa as well as Idols SA, even releasing a few of his own singles.
Llewelyn Chetty, the band's bassist, is one of Durban's leading session bass players, and has both national and international performance experience, having worked with most of Durban's forefront bands and artists and as worked as a theatre musician for many years.
Drummer, Dillan Kanny, has worked as a session drummer in Durban since 2005. He has worked on many theatre productions, corporate events and shows since then.
The band has a lot to offer the Durban audience at this year's event and is sure to throw in some of their original material they are currently working on for their first album. With this kind of longevity and clash of perseverance and passion- you cannot miss LED this year!
Host venue Zack's has a varied and affordable menu to suit all tastes and a cash bar. Some of the artists CD's an' Festival Tee's will be available for sale at the Mechanize table on show nights- bring a little extra for the splurge!

