Set out on an Afrika Love Tour for a series of concerts with acclaimed Detroit saxophonist Salim Washington in Cape Town this week before he takes a year sabbatical in US.
- On Friday 25 June he performs at the Alliance Française du Cap from 7pm.
- Sat 26 June at the Masque Theatre in Muizenburg from 5pm.
- Sun 27 June at Kwa Sec in Gugulethu as part of the Jazz in the Native Yards winter series.
A Performing Arts Professor at the University of Kwa Zulu Natal, the story of jazz saxophonist and composer, Salim Washington, is of a struggle. He was born and raised in the sharecropping plantations of Mississipi, where a vast majority of black agricultural workers in the Delta and other plantation areas were paid a share of the crop as their wages or paid a smaller share of the crop to their landlords as rent.
Washington’s parents moved to Detroit with hopes of a better life. His mother sewed at the Leve’s Jeans factory and his father worked in construction and labour jobs.
When Washington landed in South Africa, he could relate with struggles of inequalities within communities and soon found common ground in playing music with everyone.
Afrika Love
“Afrika Love is the quartet that I formed with Afrika Mkhize. It is a great band and we have made a recording and are building our sound around those compositions for now,” he says.
“I am on my way to New York for a year, and this Afrika Love tour will be my last performances in South Africa until I return next year.”
Featuring some of South Africa’s top musicians including pianist Afrika Mkhize, bassist Dalisu Ndlazi and drummer Simphiwe Shiburi, Washington is excited to be playing for Cape Town audience again.
“I love playing for Cape Town audience and at the Jazz in the Native Yards in particular. One thing the audience is hip, and that makes it easier to play your best. The location is also key; we get to see the life and vibrancy of the community there where we are making our statements.”
“Playing and teaching in South Africa has been a privilege and an absolute joy. The musicians here play beautifully and with a special lyricism unique to South Africa. They are also able to swing! I am impressed with the young players especially. They are concerned with the tradition but are bringing fresh voices and fresh approaches to the music. They are adventurous, not tame imitators.”
Washington believes South Africa has a rich jazz history that keeps on evolving and has helped him explore other music trends.
“I do believe South Africa to possess one of the great jazz cultures in the world. Within the tradition but extending it at the same time. I am working on the music for what I consider to be greater collaborations right now. Combining the jazz band with the philharmonic orchestra, and with choirs and percussion ensemble. It is the greatest endeavour compositionally for me and this is the place to make it happen,” he explains.
The future holds even more offerings from Washington. “I will also be doing this music with New York musicians and it is my dream to combine the musicians from New York with the South African musicians for a great celebration.”
Afrika Love Tour Cape Town Music Academy (CTMA), a non-profit organisation that continuously create opportunities for musicians to perform.
WHEN & WHERE:
Fri 25 June, 7:30pm
Alliance Françiase du Cap
155 Loop Street, Cape Town 8001
Sat 26 June, 5pm
The Masque Theatre
37 Main Road, Muizenberg, Cape Town 7950
Sun 27 June, 3pm
Kwa Sec, Ny 138 no. 52 Gugulethu 7750
TICKETS: R120/R60 pensioners and students. Bookings: 060 960 8935. All Covid-19 protocols observed
INFO: Luvuyo Kakaza | C 060 960 8935 | E luvuyo@ctma.co.za
FOLLOW: https://www.facebook.com/nativeyards | www.facebook.com/cptmusicacademy | www.instagram.com/capetownmusicacademy
