Arts writer
SOUTH Africa’s premier blues music festival, the Table Mountain Blues Summit(TMBS), returns to Hillcrest Quarry in Durbanville to celebrate its 10th Birthday on Saturday.
Hosting 12 of the country’s top blues artists, the 2015 concert is presented and sponsored by Combustion Technology, Paul Bothner Music and Fender SA.
Frank Freeman is first up from 11am to 11.45am, followed by the Aiden Martin Trio from midday to 12.45pm.
Catch the Jonathan Peyper Band from 1pm to 1.45pm, Gerald Clark from 2pm to 2.45pm, and The Studerbakers from 3pm to 3.45pm.
At 4pm, the Wayne Pauli Trio will hit the stage, followed by the Guy Collins Band from 5pm to 5.45pm, and The Boulevard Blues Band from 6pm to 7pm.
Don’t miss the Albert Frost Trio which performs from 7.15pm to 8.15pm, and the The Black Cat Bones from 8.30pm to 9.30pm. Basson Laubscher & The Violent Free Peace will keep the party going from 9.45pm to 10.45pm, and Bandeleros will bring the night to a close from 11pm to midnight.
TMBS organiser Mike Combrinck says that he thought of the concept of starting a blues festival in Cape Town after seeing a Jazz & Blues Session at the late Steak and Ale in Pretoria in 2005.
“Good Blues shows were relatively hard to find in South Africa at the time,” he says. “So in 2006, the first Table Mountain Blues Summit was held at Tafelberg Tavern in Town, showcasing six blues acts to an audience of just under 450 guests. We gave our hearts and souls and boots to get this going.
“In 2007 Richard Pryor came aboard as a partner and we grew this little festival into the monster it became (last year had 22 acts).
“Richard played a big role in the development of the Summit over the past few years, but has now stepped down as one of the organisers, due to other responsibilities. The Summit brought in more rock and folk music over the last few years, but myself and friend Mike Crawford, who has now come on board, (Two Mikes don’t make a wrong) have decided to keep the Summit to its original blues roots for our 10 year birthday celebration.”
This year’s event will be a non-stop blues party that will last over 13 hours.
Doors open at 10am, and the first band hits the stage at 11am.
Guests are invited to bring swimming costumes to paddle in the dam, and camping chairs. Weapons and outside food and drinks are not permitted.
l Tickets: R195, free entry for children under 12, 0861 915 8000, www.bluessummit.co.za