“HIDDENGEMS”  A TRIBUTE TO SOUTH AFRICAN WOMAN OF COLOUR IN JAZZ: BY LAUREN HENDRICKS on Wednesday 23 April 2025 at 17h30.

“Hidden Gems” is a tribute to not only women of colour musicians in South African jazz. From past to present but also highlighting their important contributions through their inspiring original works in a performance.

This performance is presented by Lauren Hendricks, a young musician/photographer who recently graduated with her masters in jazz studies at the University of Cape Town.

“My intent behind this performance/s is to create a space to pay tribute to iconic female musicians of colour in the South African jazz industry who have paved the way for many who have come before them. My aim is to bring recognition to these unseen heroines of South African Jazz through putting together a special performance that will feature all original compositions by a few pivotal voices that have made a lasting impact on the industry. This performance is a musical representation of a sense of community and a deep history through voices and song brought together to celebrate those who came before us and ensure the youth that their voice is of importance as well.

This selection of South African Jazz repertoire has specifically been selected to represent women from each era e.g the past, the present and the future. This will feature musical works by legends such as Sathima Bea Benjamin a vocalist and composer who worked and recorded with the great Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane to name a few while living in the USA with her then husband Abdullah Ibraham. It will also feature singer/songwriter Tina Schouw who made her mark on the SA jazz scene in the late 1980’s and early 90’s focusing her music around the struggles of the time. There will also be a feature made by award winning vocalist/composer/arranger and lecturer Abigail Petersen who came to light in the early 2000’s while working with Mike Campbell, Darryl Andrews and the iconic duo David Kramer and Taliep Petersen.

I will also feature my original compositions focusing on the journey of young musicians. I believe this is an important and necessary project that celebrates the rich history of woman colour in South African jazz, featuring stories of our ancestors and the creating space for the upcoming youth. This new experience of live music and artwork is not to be missed.”

Gig listing:

“HIDDENGEMS” - A TRIBUTE TO SOUTH AFRICAN WOMAN OF COLOUR IN JAZZ BY LAUREN HENDRICKS

23 April Wednesday 2025

Doors open at 17h00, Music starts at 17h30

UKZN, Centre for Jazz and Popular Music

University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Howard College Campus, Dennis Shepstone Building, Level 2

Tickets: R130, R95 for pensioners, R65 for students

Hidden Gems - A tribute to women of colour in South Africa