Music Unlocked Sessions featuring
fabulous horns and fantastic bass
Centre for Jazz and Popular Music and iSupport
Creative Business proudly present the Music Unlocked Sessions. The latest
edition is taking place on 15 July will feature horn trio Temb-Horns, saxophonist Simone Van Niekerk,
and bassist Talent “Mzukulu” Mbatha. All three artists will present the audience with a 20-minute set each.
Temb-Horns is an ensemble from Thembisa that consists of
3 horns: Kgethi Nkotsi is on Trombone, Michael Nkuna on Trumpet and Simone
Manana on Alto Saxophone Kgethi Nkotsi
is a 24-year-old Trombone player from Tembisa, Johannesburg. He is currently
studying at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He started playing in 2013 at the
age of 16 at Moses Molelekwa Arts Foundation (MTMAF). Along the years that he has
played with the likes of Salim Washington, Andile Yenana, Khaya Mahlangu and
Neil Gonsalves, to name a few.
Michael Nkuna is the youngest member of the
horn section at the age of 20. He started his career as a self-taught musician
after which Michael earned a Trumpet section slot at UNISA Wind Band. He is
currently studying music at the Tshwane University of Technology.
Simon Manana is a 21-year-old multi-instrumentalist
from Tembisa. He started playing professional gigs while in high school. One of
the notable names that he worked with while in high school was Lindi Ngonelo,
Mandla Mlangeni, Johnny Mekoa and Khaya Mahlangu, to name a few.
For Simone van Niekerk music is the
heartbeat of her home. Her Dad had introduced her and her sisters into the art
of music from a young age. Her musical journey began with the piano, but it was
the bass guitar and drums that instinctively drew her. In 2010 she had the
opportunity of hearing saxophonist, Curtis Kettledas performing live. It was
then when she found the instrument that accessed the many facets of her musical
world. She attended a few lessons in 2014 to prepare her for her music audition
at UKZN, and in 2015 her formal education at UKZN began. She completed her
studies in 2018 and continues to further her education through the many musical
mentors she encounters. As part of her final exams, Simone van Niekerk hosted
her first official show titled “Simply Complexed” in 2019. She managed to pull
a crowd of over 650 people. She has played for several events during 2020, and
one that stood out the most was playing for the Nathan Julius Concert at the
Hilton College Theatre in February.
Born in Durban, but groomed in Nongoma, Talent “Mzukulu” Mbatha is a versatile
bassist, arranger, composer, producer, studio engineer and music educator. He
derives his music style from a diverse range of influences, including Maskandi,
Mbhaqanga, jazz, pop, contemporary rock, soul and fusion. As a kid from
Northern KwaZulu Natal, he grew up listening to people like Mfaz’omnyama,
Hhash’elimhlophe, Phuzekhemisi, Mfiliseni Magubane and Soul brothers, which
influenced his signature style of always adding a South African flavour to the
music even when playing American tunes. Talent began learning to play the bass
guitar at the age of 11, he assembled his first jazz ensemble in 2008 and has
graced big stages such as the Hazelmere Jazz Festival, Ugu Jazz Festival,
Moratele Park and several international stages backing other artists.
Submissions
Musicians can
submit a video that is created especially for the concert, which is likely to
be a solo performance or minimal ensemble in this period of social distance.
You can also submit previously recorded videos that are not widely available on
the internet, and are part of your archive.
Tickets
Music Unlocked Sessions
https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/EventCategories.aspx?itemid=1502020640
Event Details
Music Unlocked Sessions
Temb-Horns, Simone Van Niekerk, and Talent “Mzukulu” Mbatha
Wednesday 15 July 2020
You will receive your link before 6 pm and can
watch at a convenient time
Tickets R50 or more on donation
