Imagine sitting at your table and hearing the combined sounds of Herbie Tsoaeli, Steve Dyer and Tlale Makhene, followed by the soulful voice of Sibongile Khumalo, as you sip a glass of a liquor of your choice in a dark room. That is what is expected at this year’s celebration of The Orbit Bistro’s anniversary.
Dubbed the “4th Movement”, the Orbit aims to celebrate its successful four-year existence with a string of performances ranging from jazz trios to soulful collaborations, from March 13 to March 18. The 4th Movement aims to be an anniversary event that provides visitors with the experience of jazz music through various perspectives.
Bistro co-owner Kevin Naidoo explained last Wednesday that the aim of the 4th Movement is to expand the growing audience of The Orbit, through a vast line-up, over six days.
“Even though the jazz music genre is attributed to older audiences, it is an acquired genre that can gather fans and admirers from various generations, which is what we at The Orbit hope to achieve with the 4th Movement,” Sibongakonke Mama, of The Orbit, explained.
The actual birthday of the Orbit is March 14. However, the organisers of this celebratory event thought it would be fitting to have a whole festival, held over six days, rather than to host just one day crammed with all the accomplished musicians expected to perform.
The 4th Movement will comprise a number of group and solo performances, from jazz and soul musicians who are known (or unknown) to The Orbit audiences.
The celebration begins with a performance by the Blue Notes Tribute Orkestra on March 13, followed by a performance by Trio Grande (which features trumpeter Feya Faku) on March 14.
March 15 features Swazi percussionist Tlale Makhene, who will perform Swazi Gold, with an accompanying band and vocalist, while mistress of jazz Sibongile Khumalo and trio Mantswe A Marabi (which features saxophonist Steve Dyer) will both perform on March 16.
Integrated jazz band Connecting Generations will perform on March 17, as will the trio band of Voice (featuring musicians Herbie Tsoaeli, Marcus Wyatt and award-winning producer Luyanda Madope). The final event, The Orbit birthday jam (a space for all underground or up and coming musicians, poets and vocalists) will be on March 18, with free entry for all.
The 4th Movement festival will include tribute performances to jazz legends such as Phil Tabane and the recently departed Hugh Masekela, as well as the celebration of African jazz music in the country.
Tickets are being sold at R250 for the entire six-day festival, or at R150 per night.
The 4th Movement can be viewed as an appetizer to the upcoming 2018 Cape Town International Jazz Festival, for jazz lovers who appreciate the music genre and love The Orbit’s space.
Co-owner Kevin Naidoo also pointed out that Orbit’s location in the student-hub of Braamfontein was to display the inclusion and integration of generations in one venue, who all love the idea of listening to and admiring jazz music.
The Orbit’s fourth anniversary will serve as an achievement in the events world, as a successful music venue and bistro, but The Orbit also hopes that its 4th Movement festival will bring in more admirers of music from different generations, because who would not like the idea of being in a space of good music, great food and even greater company, for a decent price.