Powerhouse Afro-Fusion Ensemble from Cape Town to play their first concerts in Kwazulu-Natal  after 23 years together.

 

Audiences are in for some spectacular shows at the end of April as premier Afro-fusion world music ensemble Abavuki head out on the road to present new music from their latest album, The Right Key, in Durban and Johannesburg.

 

Abavuki’s music is based on traditional African instruments (marimbas, drums & percussion) overlaid with brass (trumpet & sax) and vocals to create their vibrant & contemporary Mzansi sound, firmly grounded in African music principles & influenced by kwaito, jazz and Latin American rhythms. 

 

Abavuki are superb live showmen and their performances have been described as “riveting”, “amazing” and “ an incredible rhythmic sound storm”.  Davy Sims, ex-BBC Editor and jury member of World Music Charts Europe, has featured them regularly on his world music radio show and summed up their live show with this review:  "Abavuki are the most energetic band I have ever seen... they weave traditional African rhythms and melodies into a contemporary format which is highly accessible to a wide audience. Their high-energy style of music is uplifting and very danceable."

 

Abavuki played their first official gig way back in 2001 at the official Festive Lights Switch-On in Cape Town and since then have toured to 13 countries including Germany, Belgium, Czech Republic, China, Poland, Algeria & the Netherlands.  They have played at everything from top international festivals for crowds of up to 80 000 through to exclusive private events, always to huge acclaim, standing ovations and audiences demanding encores.

 

Abavuki’s tour in the last week of April will see them perform in Durban at the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music at the University of Kwazulu-Natal on Tuesday, 22 April

 

The Right Key is Abavuki’s sixth album, and was recorded, mixed and mastered at the legendary Milestone Studios in Cape Town.   It showcases their signature sound, with the maturity and evolution of some 23 years of playing together.  Their album launch in November last year saw an audience of over a thousand people on their feet and dancing at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.

 

Says band member Sabu Jiyana, “We are beyond excited to perform in Joburg and Durban for the first time. We’re so looking forward to seeing those who have enjoyed our music over the years and introducing Abavuki to those who have never heard us before!”

 

Abavuki’s SA Tour is made possible through funding support from Concerts SA and its partners, the Festival Enterprise Catalyst, SAMRO and the National Treasury Jobs Fund, administered by IKS Cultural Consulting.  Concerts SA is a nationwide live music support program whose focus is to promote and develop the live music scene, through supporting touring artists and establishing sustainable music circuits in the southern African region.

 

BAND MEMBERS:

 

Sabu Jiyana - marimbas, mbira, percussion & vocals

Kim Masala - marimbas, percussion & vocals

Thando Sishuba - trumpet & vocals

Ndima Makubalo - percussion & vocals

Bongani Ngesi - marimbas, percussion & vocals

Alizwa Tyala - trumpet & vocals (regular guest)

 

Tuesday, 22 April at 17h30

Doors open at 17h00

Centre for Jazz and Popular Music, University of Kwazulu-Natal

Tickets available through Webtickets or at the door

At the door: R120 adults / R90 pensioners / R60 students or on Webtickets R135 / R95 / R65.

 

Catch Abavuki as they play their very first concert ever in Durban, presenting tracks from their new album, The Right Key!

This spectacular Afro-Fusion World Music Ensemble from Langa, Cape Town plays original music based on traditional African instruments (marimbas, drums & percussion) overlaid with brass (trumpets) and vocals.  Their vibrant & contemporary Mzansi sound, firmly based on African music principles & influenced by kwaito, jazz and Latin American rhythms, has seen them tour to 13 countries with their live performances described as “riveting” and “ an incredible rhythmic sound storm”!