MUSIC
Bay singer Nosisi Mavela headlines Athenaeum show
Diverse line-up of artists at Friday's Restoration of Humanity Gospel on Jazz concert
Bay singer Nosisi Mavela headlines a diverse line-up of artists at the Restoration of Humanity Gospel on Jazz concert on Friday November 2 at 6pm at the Athenaeum in Athol Fugard Terrace.
She will perform alongside singers, poets and instrumentalists as well as 10 pupils from Port Elizabeth’s Khanyisa High School Choir for the Blind in a night of Afro-fusion mixed with jazz and gospel.
Mavela has chosen 10 teenagers from the KwaDwesi special needs school to show the public what the children can do, rather than what they cannot do.
“I am going to feature the choir because people are disabled by society, not just by their bodies,” Mavela said. “Only working together with them will show what they are capable of achieving in their lifetime.”
Uitenhage gospel singer Liliswa Sokiya will open the show which features a string of top-notch musicians.
“Restoration of Humanity Gospel on Jazz seeks to heal broken humanity, which is yearned for by both the people in churches and broader community,” Mavela said.
Musicians include Mthokozisi Mabuza and Sibusiso Mazibuko on keys, bass guitarist Edgar Muzah, Lawrence Matshiza on guiter, drummer Sakhi Nompozolo and Mkhululi Gxasheka on saxophone.
Mavela will have three backing vocalists, Siyasanga Koyo, Songo Songo Mengezeleli and Unathi Ntlabathi, and the show will last two hours, with an interval.
Others performing include Vuyo Boyana, who will sing Litshoni Le Langa, a song composed by the late, great bass player Victor Ntoini, and Sizwe Yaze, who will sing with Mavela.
Spoken word artist Chulu Suka will perform the lyrics of one of Mavela’s songs, Isikhalo, which centres on the brokenness of humanity.
“I wrote Isikhalo because the family unit is under serious attack,” Mavela said.
“Unlike in the past, people cannot leave a child with a male family member to baby-sit. The song is asking what kind of pleasure does the uncle or brother drive from the pain and crying of the innocent child, questioning what happened and challenging the community, including churches, to do something about this.
“The concert intends to call on the community to have a serious re-look at what humanity is and to prioritise healing the broken humanity.”
Mavela performed at the Edinburgh Fringe this year and has been invited to sing at the Canada Vocal Art Festival in May next year.
Tickets are R100 pre-sold, R120 at the door. Inquiries: 072-806-2477 or 083-5353-525.
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