Old Mutual Encounters Concerts Presents Bassline Jazz Club Revisited

The Old Mutual Encounters Concerts is thrilled to announce their Bassline Jazz Club Revisited show, presented by Kaya FM on the 1st March 2009, at Emmarentia Dam, Joburg Botanic Gardens, with electrifying performances by jazz and world music musicians: Oliver Mtukudzi, Vusi Mahlasela, Paul Hanmer, Sam Mtukudzi and Sandile Ziqubu.

The Bassline was borne in 1994 and this concert revisits 1994 to 2003, the Bassline Jazz Club Melville, when live jazz & world music of the highest order graced its stage 6 nights a week. The Bassline became a music institution, and a home to our finest South African Jazz Musicians. They played there, met there, jammed and ate there. From the day of its inception the Bassline was multi-cultural, ’People mixed as comfortably as the music’. The Bassline’s relationship with Embassies & sponsors resulted in its reputation extending abroad through the many international acts that passed through its doors.

Over the years the Bassline provided the platform for the rise of many artists to the main stage. Vusi Mahlasela, Oliver Mtukudzi, the late Moses Molelekwa, Paul Hanmer & Jimmy Dlu Dlu to name a few, all started at the Bassline playing to small houses. By 2003 the Bassline was booked to capacity when any of the above artists performed. This concert gives one the opportunity to reminisce in beautiful surrounds “sound”.

Described as the “Voice of the Voiceless” by the international Time magazine (April 2003), Zimbabwean Oliver Mtukudzi will showcase his innovative “Tuku Music”. Mtukudzi, who also forms part of the renowned band The Black Spirits, will perform his complex compositions which are known to build bridges for bringing solidarity, hope and healing.

Alongside Mtukudzi, accomplished guitarist, percussionist, composer, arranger, band leader and internationally acclaimed artist, Vusi Mahlasela will perform his unique “African Folk” music. Audiences will witness this Pretoria born musician at his finest, as they hear his tunes, which reflect upon themes of forgiveness, reconciliation and the struggle for freedom. An inspiration to the past anti-apartheid movement, Mahlasela has performed with the likes of the Dave Matthews Band, Josh Groban and the Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Mahlasela, whose soul-stirring jazz compositions has told South Africa’s story on a global stage, has also received the 2007 SAMA award for Best Male Artist.

One of South Africa’s foremost jazz players, Cape Town born Paul Hanmer also headlines the concert with his textured music ranging from his funky jazz sound to his soothing and melodious songs. An artist, session pianist, composer and arranger, Hanmer’s jazz enlightens one of the flavours of the South African landscape and the continent itself. Music-goers can look forward to listening to a musician, who has performed amongst famous musicians, like Hugh Masekela, Sipho Gumede, Jonathan Butler and Miriam Makeba.

Tickets are available via www.tunegum.com for R50 and at the gate R70. Patrons are urged to buy tickets before the time as if a concert is rained out, the ticket may be used for any of the other Encounters Shows at Emmarentia Dam for the same monetary value. Also, please remember that no alcohol, glass or cans will be allowed into the venue – there is a fully stocked bar on site.

Gates open at 13h00 on 1 March.

Don’t forget about the next show in the series:

4 April 2009

Old Mutual Encounter Concerts presents the Blues, Jazz and Roots Festival featuring Freshlyground, and more

3 May 2009

Old Mutual Encounter Concerts presents JHB Festival Orchestra with Richard Cock and Leading Soloists