Strings
of Legacy
On
Friday 30 May 2025, the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music at the University of
KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) will present a line-up of UKZN guitar alumni, who gather
to honour their mentor, the inimitable flamenco guitarist and educator, Demi
Fernandez.
Demi
Fernandez, born in Brazil to Spanish parents, has long been a bridge between
worlds, between cultures, between tradition and innovation. Having performed
extensively in the flamenco tablaos of Spain, Demi brought with him not just
skill, but soul. Fernandez is the long-standing guitarist for the Linda Vargas
Flamenco Dance Company, lecturer and senior music staff at UKZN. As Head of the
Centre for Jazz and Popular Music, Neil Gonsalves puts it “he has shaped the
musical DNA of countless students through his teachings in jazz guitar,
arranging, harmony, and ensemble work. It is these students, now seasoned artists
in their own right, who are returning to the stage, not just to perform, but to
pay tribute, as Fernandez announced his retirement.”
Nick Pitman, known for his
genre-defying compositions and his recent album Juicebox, is fresh off a
whirlwind tour with musical theatre giants and jazz icons alike. His work
blends jazz, funk, rock, and Afrobeat into a sonic kaleidoscope that somehow
still feels grounded in the streets of Durban.
Solomon
Willy,
born in Nigeria and raised musically under Fernandez’s tutelage, brings a lush
blend of Afro-beat, jazz, and African soul to his performances. His music has
crossed oceans, from Australia to Durban’s biggest festivals.
Joshua
Swanson’s
journey began at UKZN too. Now an educator and full-time performer with the
acclaimed band The Kickstands, Swanson’s jazz stylings and educational
commitment echo Fernandez’s own legacy of teaching through doing.
From
Mozambique, Milton Chissano adds his unique musical heritage. With a
foundation in classical guitar and a career that has spanned Afro-Cuban
grooves, Bollywood motifs, and African folk songs, Chissano’s artistry is both
broad and deeply rooted. His performances, including his current residency at
King Shaka International Airport, speak of migration, memory, and homecoming.
Also taking
the stage is Seb Goldswain, known for his electrifying fingerstyle
technique and genre-blending compositions that fuse blues, rock, and jazz.
“Together,
this line-up present some of the important torchbearers, each carrying a piece
of Demi Fernandez’s enduring impact.” Says Gonsalves.
Event
details
Friday 30 May
Centre for Jazz & Popular Music
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Howard College
Doors 6pm | Music 6.30pm
Tickets R120 general admission | R90 pensioners | R60 students
