Watch out for some Vikings in town this week, when the Big Boss Band from Norway hits the streets.
There'll be performances at UCT's Jazz Festival from tomorrow night, and at various venues around town, starting with a session at Manenberg's in the Waterfront tonight.
A long-time friend of jazz in the Cape, Arne Hiorth brought along his band of merry invaders to the Monday night jam session and gave us a taste of what these young musicians are capable of - and there's another storm warning out while they're in town.
If the taste they gave us on Monday is anything to go by, you don't want to miss this fantastic big band.
Apart from their appearance in the Waterfront tonight, which they will be doing with special guests Jeff Wiener on vocals, Shannon Mowday on saxes, Andre Petersen on piano and Alvin Dyers on guitar (he was officially made a part of the band on Monday), they will also be playing at Obz Cafe on Friday night and at the Baxter concert hall on Saturday night as part of the UCT festival.
Looking at the festival at the college, there'll be lots of exciting sounds from tomorrow. Darryl Andrews hosts proceedings, which start with the UCT Jazz Vocal Group directed by Gavin Fullard, the College Jazz Guitar Ensemble and Andrews's own ensemble in action in the first half of the show.
The second half begins with the UCT Jazz Strings, the Torstein Halvorsen Group and the college Jazz Faculty Combo, featuring Andrew Lilley, Darryl Andrews, Mike Campbell, Mike Rossi and Heinrich Goosen, with Abigail Petersen on vocals.
On Friday the main man is Mike Rossi, who will be featuring the Monday Ensemble Programme and Saxcology in the first half.
There's an international flavour in the second half with a special guest group from Stuttgart, Germany, Patrick Bebelaar and Limes X.
Bebelaar is on piano, Frank Kroll on saxes and clarinet and Bernd Settelmeyer on drums.
Saturday is hosted by Mike Campbell, who will lead the UCT Big Band in the first half with special guest Erica Lundi on vocals. Our Viking visitors led by Hiorth make the music in the second half.
All this is happening at the Baxter concert hall. Tickets at R40 (R25 for students and seniors) will be available at the door on the night of the performance.
- Another project that is helping young musicians achieve their potential is The Little Giants, who have been impressing local punters for some time now. They just grow in stature with every new formation, as the youngsters progress to bigger ensembles or start studying and playing professionally.
The group is now planning to record a CD in December that will feature some of the Giants of the past who have gone thought their ranks, as well as some of the local legends who have been involved with or support this project.
On Friday night they will be hosting a fundraiser at the City Hall where you can experience their exciting sounds with guests Soi Soi Gqeza on vocals, Ezra Ngcukana on sax, Duke Ngcukana on trumpet, Wesley Rustin on bass and Denver Furness on drums. Their musical director, George Werner, will be on piano.
It is interesting to note that bassist Shaun Johannes - one of the busiest session men around town and a member of various national youth band ensembles over the years - is one of the founding members of this project and will also be featured during the performance.
If you want to experience the wealth of young talent coming up in Cape Town, you don't want to miss this performance.
These young people need your support and encouragement because the Little Giants is an on-going project that aims to take music education to disadvantaged communities across the Peninsula.
The concert will start at 8pm and tickets are only R30, available from Wayne Keeble at 082 373 4590.
- Kevin Harris of Swingers (1 Wetwyn Road, near Wetton Station) is changing things slightly at his venue, normally known for its late, late nights.
From this week the doors will be opening much earlier, with free admission until 10pm when the bands will start playing.
There are some special prizes for early arrivals and lots of specials on meals from this week. Details: 021 762 2443.
- That's it for this week. Remember, e-mail comment and info to [email protected]
Gig Guide
- The News Bar, 14 Long Street, has jazz every Thursday night from 8, featuring Mike Laatz on patented foot-operated drum kit and sax, Eddie Kirkwood on keyboard and Vernon Varty on bass, plus guest artists popping in. Info: 021 418 5479.
- The Century Restaurant at Newlands cricket grounds hosts the Simonsvlei wine and jazz evenings featuring sax man Dan Shout and the band Gravity every Thursday. This month women enter free and men pay R15. A dinner/snack menu is available. Info: 021 657 3319.
- It's Sinatra evening at Manenberg's in the Waterfront with Jeff Wiener joining the 15-piece band from Norway tonight. Tomorrow Mac Mckenzie and The Goema Captains are in action. Live Wire do sundowners on Friday and Saturday with Latin sensation Salsa Candela in the featured slot. Late-night belongs to African song and dance outfit Mpho and Uvimba. Ease out of the weekend on Sunday with Jeff Weiner and the Alvyn Dyers band in the sundowner set, followed by the jazzy cabaret of Leslie Klein-Smith and Mother City Groove. Info: 021 421 5639.
- Atlantique, led by Charles Louw, play a Sunday supper club at The Lodge in Enslin Road, Ottery. Entry is free and supper is only R30, starting at 6pm.