Monday, May 21, 2007
Louis Mhlanga to the USA
One of South Africa’s favorite musicians, Zimbabwean born Louis Mhlanga, has announced dates for his North American tour:July 5&6: London Fest, Ontario
July 7: Montreal Jazz Festival, QC
July 13-15: Halifax Jazz East, NS
July 19: Santa Monica Pier, CA
July 20: The Mint, CA
July 21: Hothouse, IL
July 22: Evanston, IL
Louis' music has been described as breezy, but in the heat of Africa, its meaning is closer to the sensation of cool relief, and happiness that you feel, than just a waft of air that invades your space. Louis is a master! And the better his company, the more masterful he becomes!
Some of the names he has worked with include Orchestra Baobab, Oliver Mtukudzi, Hugh Masekela, King Sunny Ade, Busi Mhlongo, Stef Bos, Thandi Klaasen and Andy Narell - which is quite a variety of musical styles too. But that's because he doesn't like to fit into just one little musical box. He loves fusion - which is why we love him!
Here is the track Mari Hakuna off the album World Traveller.
Labels: fusion, Louis Mhlanga, USA tour, Zimbabwe
Monday, September 18, 2006
Vidima - from Zimbabwe to South Africa
Today I want to talk about a Zimbabwean artist that we have had dealings with over the last few years, Maxwell Vidima.
Maxwell, who has been based in Cape Town in this time, is like a gentle giant - well, compared to Lenny and I anyway! This tall man, whose face always has a smile on it, makes music in the same way that he looks at life. Full of energy, love for life, and aural beauty, with a sound that is cosmopolitan, while never going too far from his African roots.
As he explains in the interview that I inserted in his music video, his mother is a Zulu and his father a Shona, giving him influences from two major Southern African cultures, and the collective memory that comes from each.
He is influenced by artists such as Louis Mhlanga, Oliver Mtukudzi and George Phiri; all having fond memories of playing at his fathers legendary Midnight Club in Gweru.We first met Vidima - he goes by his surname as he feels there are just too many Maxwell's in the world already - while filming interviews for the Freedom to Celebrate DVD we released. We had an interview scheduled with Craig from Mama Dance, and he brought this wonderful character along with him. From there we just had to include one of his music video's, and capture some of his thoughts in an interview.
His CD Sagiya has been released by Universal Publishing and Mama Dance Publishing, and here is a track from the album, Babaye Mombe (Thanks Coslyn!)
Labels: Louis Mhlanga, Mama Dance, Maxwell Vidima, Oliver Mtukudzi
