The band Satori – comprising Port Elizabeth- born siblings Ashley, Erol, Zara, Lisa and Kevin Ally – return home to introduce their new CD to local fans on Saturday December 8 at the Boardwalk.
The band has decided that having a concert to launch their second CD in Port Elizabeth at the start of the festive season would be their gift to the Eastern Cape, their place of birth.
The CD, entitled “What Has Become Of Us”, was released in Germany in June this year, showcasing the artistry of Ashley on sax and flute, Zara on lead vocals, Ezra Erasmus on keyboards, Erol on guitar, Edwin Steyn on bass, Kevin on drums and percussion, and Lisa Ally on vocals.
They performed to full houses in Berlin, Stuttgart, Munich, Hamburg, Oldenburg, Rostock, Hattingen, Kolne and jazz festivals, where they received acclaim from audiences and the media.
The band Satori was formed in 2015 in Johannesburg to give expression to the creative elements and cultural influences handed down from their late father, Francis Ally, a renowned jazz pianist from Port Elizabeth.
They grew up in a household where music was the order of the day and musicians like Lulu Gontsana, Feya Faku, Jonathan Butler, Abdulla Ebrahim, Hilton Schilder, Robbie Jansen, Gerard O’Brien, Tete Mabisa, Winston Mankuku, Dudley Tito and many others often visited.
Erol and Ashley honed their skills at RazzMataz jazz club, owned by Winston Petersen, a well known saxophonist in Port Elizabeth, and this led to the production of their first CD in 2015.
The band was invited to perform at the second commemoration of the death of former president Nelson Mandela in Berlin, Germany, sharing the stage with international acts at the end of 2015.
The widespread support and appreciation of audiences inspired them to continue building on what had been started with the formation of Satori, which means, (enlightenment, a transformation from darkness to light).
Their music typically encompasses elements from jazz and fusion, infused with African and Goema rhythms. The songs have a strong cultural, social and historical significance which has found tremendous resonance among local and international audiences, illustrating the relevance of the universal messages imparted through their music, in making the world a better place than it currently is.
There will be an opportunity to purchase autographed CDs, and a meet and greet after the show.
Satori will perform at the Boardwalk Amphitheatre at 8pm on Saturday. Tickets are on sale at Quicket at R200 for adults, with a limited number of tickets for children at R50.