Celebrated guitarist and cultural icon Dr Madala Kunene, widely known
as the “King of Zulu Guitar,” will mark Africa Month this May with a
powerful new artistic direction—introducing his daughters as backing
vocalists while headlining a special “Twosday” collaborative concert on 19 May 2026.
This performance signals a significant
evolution in Dr Kunene’s live presentation. After many years of
performing without active vocalists on stage, he now welcomes a new
vocal dimension through his daughters—Melody Kunene, Nontombi Kunene,
and Sinothile Kunene—whose harmonies promise to bring a rich, fresh
texture to his music.
The full ensemble for the performance includes:
Band:
Dr Madala Kunene – Guitar
Bernard Mndaweni – Bass Guitar
Vishen Kemraj – Tabla
Sthembiso Ntuli – Saxophone
Vocals:
Melody Kunene
Nontombi Kunene
Sinothile Kunene
At the heart of the concert is the innovative “Twosday” concept—an
exciting musical platform designed to bring together artists who are
well-established in their respective styles, encouraging collaboration
beyond their usual creative boundaries. While the name suggests a
pairing, “Twosday” also represents the meeting of musical traditions and
ideas, often expanding to include a broader ensemble.
The
initiative aims to foster experimentation, learning, and the creation of
new work that transcends familiar stylistic comfort zones. By
cultivating a space where musicians can explore the edges of their
performance and composition practices, “Twosday” promotes a vibrant
cross-cultural dialogue rooted in Durban’s rich and diverse musical
landscape.
A highlight of this collaboration is the pairing of Dr.
Kunene’s distinctive Zulu guitar style with Vishen Kemraj’s mastery of
the tabla, a classical Indian instrument. Together, they create a
compelling fusion that bridges African and Indian musical traditions—an
embodiment of the “Twosday” ethos.
With Durban home to an
exceptional pool of talented and culturally diverse musicians, there are
strong ambitions to establish “Twosday” as an ongoing concert series,
building on the success of existing initiatives such as the popular
weekly Trios series held every Wednesday. Ultimately, the concept offers
musicians a valuable opportunity to expand creatively, exchange
knowledge, and celebrate a shared musical language.
“This
collaboration is about growth, connection, and discovery,” says Dr
Kunene. “It’s about stepping into new spaces musically and bringing
audiences along for that journey.”
Audiences can expect an
unforgettable evening of genre-defying music, heartfelt storytelling,
and dynamic interplay between generations and cultures.
Event details:
Twosday: The Kunene legacy
Tuesday 19 May 2026
doors open at 17h00
Music at 17h30
Centre for Jazz and Popular Music
Tickets at Webtickets: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1593599166 or cash at the door R130, pensioners R100, students R70
