Arts Writer
HOSTED by respected saxophonist Don Vino, Cape Horns promises a relaxed and entertaining evening of music, offering something for everyone with an array of sounds. The concert will take place for two nights at The Baxter Theatre on Friday, May 6 and Saturday, May 7 at 8pm.
From gospel to jazz, big band to pop, and celebrating the much-loved, but often overlooked langarm,the showcase is guaranteed to get the audience dancing. Cape Horns presents some of Cape Town’s most notable brass music stars, while providing a platform for the next generation of talent.
Trumpeter Ian Smith of VJR fame and director of the acclaimed Delft Big Band joins the line up with saxophonist Heinrich Isaacs, who is known for his gospel expertise; and fellow saxman Didier Richards, a popular performer with the South African Navy Band and who has played with the likes of Pacific Express.
Among the rising young stars on the programme are The Elsies River High School Band, who recently performed at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. Alistair Izobell will directs the show.
“The sounds of a saxophone or trumpet are about so much more than just great jazz,” says Don Vino. “We wanted to show off sassy brassy sounds and are bringing audiences a great night out with music that will make you want to get up and dance. There’s pop, jazz, gospel and more, and I am especially excited there will be a feature of langarm, which is a favourite that will take you down memory lane. There will also be a few surprise guests joining us.”
Don Vino has performed with bands in and around Cape Town since he was 15. His career has seen him tour to the USA, Europe, Dubai and Australia and included playing with the likes of Grammy Award winners, Kirk Whalum and Lady Smith Black Mambazo; with Percy Sledge, Tevin Campbell, Lloyd Cele, Loyiso Bala, Jimmy Dludlu, Victor Masondo, Judith Sephuma, PJ Powers, Tony Schilder, Bebe Winans and Jimmy Earl Perry.
He also worked on productions such as Three Wise Men, Kat and The Kings and Blood Brothers, as well as Alistair Izobell’s Radio Classics and Slick Swing. Most recently he performed with the Kanala productio. With Jonathan Rubain, Don Vino presented the successful Intimate Nights and Intimate Nights Chapter 2, with a third instalment coming up at the Baxter in July.
He is a regular performer at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival and has also been the Artisic Director for ESP Afrika and the festival’s Training and Development program since 2011. In 2015, Don Vino debuted his first solo show From Elsies to the World. He performs as part of popular band Top Dog SA, who recently released their Khoisan jazz album Griqua DNA. For the past six years, he has also been leading an NPO community music school in Delft, training underprivileged youth of the local community to read and perform music.
l Book: Computicket 0861 915 8000, www.computicket.com, or Shoprite Checkers outlets. For block bookings of 10 or more: 021685 7880. For discounted corporate, schools or block-bookings, charities: 021 680 3993, 021 680 3962.