A quartet of dapper gents with velvet voices plans to “serenade the ladies” ahead of Valentine’s Day at the Opera House’s Jazz Afro Sunday show this weekend.
Nelson Mandela Bay’s newly formed Four Fellas will perform at the Barn Theatre at 5pm on Sunday February 10.
The stylish group consists of Lubabalo Luzipo, Phindile “Brown Sugah” Matsha, Loyiso Mali and Sizwe Yaze. For Sunday’s performance, Kholisile Kotla Booi will replace founding member Matsha.
“We’ve all been working on our solo careers where we’ve been doing our own originals,” Luzipo said.
“We decided to get together to revisit the old songs which have been forgotten, the beautiful old classics and covers which have a broad appeal.
“We will do a mixture of everything, but more love songs than anything – the Opera House has placed us on the 10th hoping we will serenade the ladies that night pre-Valentine’s day!”
He said the group wanted to project a formal look, “to represent good manners we will wear a jacket and tie, or tuxedo”.
The Four Fellas have a solid backing group with veteran Lawrence Matshiza on lead guitar and Thembani Kubashe on bass, Sakhumzi Nompozolo on the drums and Mthokozisi Mabuza on keys.
Normally seen at the keyboard himself, Luzipo has performed at the opening of Parliament in SA as well as in countries such as Germany and Austria.
The versatile musician is part of the Bay’s musical Luzipo family, with sister Titi an acclaimed jazz singer in Johannesburg and mother Vuyelwa Nomphelo Qwesha Luzipo one of the original singers in Port Elizabeth’s Jazz Queens. His nephew has sung in the EP Children’s Junior Choir.
Songwriter and performer Brown Sugah is the founding member of the Four Fellas Quartet and has been part of Port Elizabeth's major jazz bands such as Blaze, MO Jazz & The Microwave.
He has also opened for international acts such as Kenny Latimore and George Benson and the late great SA jazz trumpeter Hugh Masekela.
“Brown Sugah is one of us but he is not available for this set so we have outsourced to Kholisile,” Luzipo said, adding Booi was such a good fit that he probably would sing with the group again in future.
Tenor Booi has performed at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival and appeared on SABC2’s Gospel Time.
East London born vocalist and bass guitarist Sizwe Yaze is also a multi-talented musician. Raised in a musical family in Port Elizabeth, Yaze developed as a singer and songwriter during his school days and has since then been composing and arranging music.
He has worked with artists such as Amanda Black, Nathi Mankayi and The Muffinz.
Neo-soul singer Loyiso Mali – a professional photographer also known as “Lume” – rounds off the quartet. The songwriter and arranger is influenced by gospel and jazz and sees himself as storyteller and a hope giver.
The Jazz Afro Sunday show is at 5pm, with a cash bar which is open at 4pm. Tickets are R70 (R50 for pensioners). Seating is limited so early arrival is recommended. Further information from Cingiwe Skosana, cingiwe.skosana@gmail.com, 041-586-2256, 061-996-0200, or Nomgcobo Mkize, nomgcobomkize@gmail.com