Jazz musician sings women's praises

POPULAR jazz musician Denzil Africa pays tribute to women on his latest album – and tonight fans will get to hear what it is all about.

Africa is performing at Twins Nightclub in Sydenham.

He started working on the album, Woman, in 2010. "I am glad I took my time because that resulted in 10 tracks that my fans will enjoy, especially my female fans. I have dedicated the album to them as a way of showing a woman's worth," he said. "One of the beautiful things on earth is a woman's heart. She is the best creation of God."

Africa's first album, Out of Africa, was recorded in 2001 and was a huge success, with one of the tracks winning the Best Eastern Cape Song in Algoa FM's Sound Search Competition.

"On my first album I had true African songs. A lot of the songs were about things that are happening in Africa and I also did a couple of African rhythms.

"With my second album, I have included today's trends. It is light pop [and] jazz."

Africa has toured and performed with national and international jazz and contemporary musicians, including "Donald Harrison jnr, Kenny and Chante Lattimore, Winston Mankunku, Robbie Jansen, Jimmy Dludlu, PJ Powers, Mafikizolo, Dr Victor, the late Sipho Gumede, Kurt Darren, Mandoza and 101".

"This shows the level of experience I have gained over the years," he said.

Africa is planning to officially launch Woman in November or December.

Entrance for tonight's show, at 8pm, is R40.