 Creative fusion
by Mahes Perera
South Africa, with the FIFA
World Cup matches now on is globally the cynosure of all eyes. The music
and culture of South Africa has had a profound impact on the music and
culture throughout the world. History has proven that the music of the
people of South Africa is “The offspring of the marriage between the
drive to create and the need to survive. It is not a luxury, it is the
sound of life itself, the breath of the Heart, the Soul” ..... and
spreading these creative vibes to Sri Lankans is the five piece Amakhono
Jazz Band from Johannesburg now playing at the Il Ponte, Colombo Hilton,
coinciding with the daily screening of the exciting FIFA World Cup
matches.
 The Amakhono Jazz Band is led by the saxophonist Vusi Jele and the
pianist Mphumzeni Khonjelwayo. The bassist Oupa Mlangeni plays the
electric bass and the drummer Sello Tsotetsi holds the group together
with his slick skin and sticks language.
Singing the traditional folk music and the blues is the vocalist
Kgomotso Mamaila who weaves her way through the capacity filled audience
voicing her songs with style and dynamism. During a break in the
performance, we spoke with the saxophonist Vusi Jele who told us that
the band has been playing in Johannesburg for more than twelve years.
“We have toured Nigeria, Syria and Germany and our music is township
jazz which is a mixture of different styles. It is a fusion of Mbaqanga,
Marabi and American jazz. I studied music formally, conducted workshops
and in fact my band members were from the students, who attended the
workshops,” explained Vusi in that friendly manner of his. They are
happy that they came to Sri Lanka and happier about the ready response
of our audience to their music.
You lean on American jazz, what are your influences in the playing of
saxophone?
“John Coltrana heads my list. Ofcourse, I cannot leave out Sonny
Rollins, and the wonderful saxophonist from Duke Ellington’s band none
other than Johnny Hodges. For modern and avant garde music Pharoah
Sanders. Ofcourse South Africa has its stars such as Hugh Masakela and
Jackie McLean. Now there are young musicians who have moved in to fill
in the gaps in the much needed wind section of musicians.”
Amakhono apart from the traditional and folk music also perform
Afrikan arrangements of standards. If your favourite standard is Autumn
Leaves then make your tracks to the Il Ponte and enjoy the fusion vibes
of the quintet. |
