I dashed down the hill to Durban on Friday night to catch the second half of Robin Auld’s performance at St Clements in Musgrave Road.
As I hit Tollgate the rain started, so it was with great concern that I proceeded – St Clements gigs are presented outdoors.
I walked in to find that the rain had started as he was finishing the first set and there was a frantic effort to move the PA indoors.
Normally this would have been a major hassle because in all my previous experiences of music at the venue, there were capacity audiences. Not on Friday, with only about 10 people still there when I arrived.
Like a true troubadour, this did not deter Auld, as he proceeded to give it his all in the second set.
So much so that I invited him to join us on Sunday afternoon at the Rainbow Restaurant in Pinetown for a surprise guest slot during the Umkhumbane Jazz Ensemble’s performance.
Umkhumbane is an 11-piece big band featuring a seven-strong brass section, so it was no surprise to see Auld looking rather apprehensive as they came up to the end of their first set and the time for his guest slot rapidly approached.I must admit, I was also a bit apprehensive, as the last thing you want to do is dampen the vibe Umkhumbane had created.
Thirty seconds into his first song and the 150-strong audience was roaring in appreciation. He had to dash soon after his 20-minute set, but he still managed to offload a few copies of his latest album, Fingers in my Pocket. Which brings me to the main point of this week’s column.
If Umkhumbane had had a product of their own to sell, rather than just their live performance, I have no doubt that they could have easily moved 40 or 50 units.
In a year, this locally based outfit, featuring legends such as Moses Sefatsa and Jerry Kunene, might only get four or five performances where they are paid the kind of five-figure performance fees they got at the Rainbow. This is bread and butter money.
The cream, in the music industry, comes from album (or in this digital age, download) sales as well as royalties from airplay.
No matter how wonderful the band are and no matter how fantastic their performances are, as a business entity, Umkhumbane will not grow until they have that tangible product to sell. Here is hoping that this happens before they next grace the Rainbow stage.
Live original music lined up this week:
Tomorrow: Hinds Brothers feature at the next Winston Pub Skollie Jol, corner Clark and Umbilo roads, Durban, at 8pm. Entry is R20.
Sazi ne Skokiana, at UKZN Durban’s Centre for Jazz from 5.30pm, features multi-instrumentalist Sazi Dlamini backed by Sthembiso Ntuli (tenor sax), Sakhile Simani (trumpet), Bernard Mndaweni (bass) and Paki Peloeole (drums). Entry is R30 (R10 for students) and more info is at 031 260 3385.
Durban Showcase at Moonshadows Restaurant, German Shamwari Club, Barnham Road, Westville, features Zaffa and The Royal frontman Rob Warren on a solo mission with Cloud Nine, Dave Marks and Miriam Erasmus in support. The gig starts at 7.30pm and entry is R25. Call 082 330 9652 for more information.
Thursday: Hinds Brothers at Phansi Museum, Esther Roberts Road, Glenwood, Durban, from 7.30pm. R40 gets you in and bookings, which are advised, can be made at 031 206 2889.
Thursday to Sunday: Heels over Head at Durban’s Catalina Theatre at 8pm, except Sunday, when the show starts at 6pm. Entry is R60 and more info is at 031 305 6889. Booking is advised.
Friday: Sam Marais in the main foyer at Durban’s Playhouse complex for the next instalment of the Sundowner sessions. Entry is free and the music starts at 5.30pm.
Guy Buttery at Bluestockings, Dan Pienaar Road, Kloof. Entry is R60, for 7.30pm, and more info is at 083 659 3628.
Sibling Rivalry and Fruits and Veggies, at Unit 11, off Stamfordhill Road, Durban. The gig starts at 8pm and entry costs R30.
Trumpeter Thabo Mashishi and band at Alliance Francais, Sutton Crescent, Morningside, Durban. Doors open at 6.30pm, entry is R25 and more details are at 031 312 9582. Highly recommended.
Saturday: Hinds Brothers at Bellevue Park, Ramsgate, from 2pm, with Faye Oakes in support. Entry is R50. Bring your picnic basket and call 082 832 6472 or 076 387 7139 for more information.
Maisha frontman Tresor Riziky is trying to get the cash together to record his solo project and his musician friends will be joining him for a special performance at Moyo, uShaka Pier, Durban, from 7pm. Tickets are R50. Contact 031 332 0606 for table bookings.
Sunday: Old Mutual Music at the Lake at Durban Botanic Gardens from 2.30pm features Prime Circle, with Red Light Stereo in support. Pre-sale tickets at R100 from www.ticketbreak.co.za or from the Info Centre, R120 at the gate and R20 for children aged six to 12. Call 031 309 1170 for more information.