Arts writer
THE next Sekunjalo Edujazz concert is set to thrill the Mother City once again with an annual fund-raising event taking place at the Artscape Theatre on Saturday June 20 at 7.30pm.
Sekunjalo Edujazz celebrates its 15th year of supporting and growing successful home-grown artists and this year the headline act, local pop-jazz sensation and winner of six South African Music awards, Beatenberg, should get the audience singing and dancing to their specific beats.
South Africa is full of talented young musicians, aspiring to reach their dreams, and joining Beatenberg in this 2015 line-up are The Beau Soleil Stage Band and The Edujazz Alumni Band,
Cherie Hendricks Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Director at African Equity Empowerment Investments Limited (formerly Sekunjalo Investments Limited) said: “The objective of the concert is to raise funds for educational bursaries for impoverished students in the Western Cape, as well as promote the rich culture of jazz music in Cape Town, by staging a well-known group or artist alongside up-and-coming young artists from either primary or high schools.”
Beatenberg is a fresh South African face in the music industry, whose rise to fame includes two record breaking songs Who is Chelsea Blakemore and Remember You(with their collaboration with DJ Clock and Pluto) number #1 on the charts for 17 weeks.
Beatenberg pays homage to our musical heritage while breaking new ground with their global pop sensibility. “They stand as a great example of what can be accomplished on the music scene and therefore their presence on this year’s Edujazz billing is self explanatory,” comments Hendricks.
Adding to the happy sounds of the pop-jazz group is The Edujazz Alumni Band. Performing together since 2008 when they started at Alexander Sinton high school at the age of 13 & 14 and under the guidance of music teacher Ronel Nagfaal, the band has gone from strength to strength.
Says Hendricks, “All members of the band have made phenomenal progress as musicians, but if I must single out one, then bassist Sean Bratz would be one to keep an eye on. A proud moment and achievement for Edujazz was when Sean won a scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in the USA.”
Providing its own unique flair to the occasion, is The Beau Soleil Stage Band comprising past pupils who are currently pursuing highly successful performing careers, both locally and internationally. Beau Soleil will keep the audience entertained with music from various genres, including some current local and international jazz titles. This band has completed an extensive ensemble-training programme under the directorship of Merlin Mc Donald.
Helping the Sekunjalo Edujazz concert gain prominence and support over the past 15 years, and sharing the stage with aspiring young musicians, have been acts such as Jimmy Dludlu, Tucan Tucan, Virtual Jazz Reality, The Darryl Andrews Jazz Band, Vicky Sampson, Galumphing and MiCasa.
Now in 2015, Beatenberg has brought a new beat to the party and the organisers can guarantee that the monies raised from the sale of tickets to the event will play an instrumental role in ensuring that yet more young music stars can have their shot at their name in lights.
l Tickets: R90. Book: Computicket 0861 915 8000.