Belgium based South African jazz sensation Tutu Puoane head back to her native land to celebrate Women’s Day in two exciting concerts with piano virtuoso Ewout Pierreux on Friday 8 August at the Youngblood Africa Gallery on Bree Street at 8pm. On Sunday 10 she plays at the iconic Guga S’thebe Cultural Centre in Langa.
Puoane is exciting to be back in Cape Town after seven years. “I am very exited to be back in my favorite city after a longtime,” she says. “Ewout and I will bring you new music of my recent project called Wrapped in Rhythm.”
Wrapped In Rhythm is a double album project dedicated to and based on the beautiful poetry of Tutu’s South African compatriot Lebo Mashile. For almost ten years, Tutu walked around with Lebo’s collection In A Ribbon Of Rhythm under her arm. The poems made a deep and lasting impression on her.
These exciting concerts are a celebration of South Africa. women and two women in the arts Puoane Mashile and Lebo Mashile.
- The Tutu Puoane concerts form part of the Cape Music Academy ‘s (CTMA) Cape Town Jazz Greats Homecoming Series which are running for the rest of the year.
“We are very excited to be able to present concert that showcase jazz young and old South African musicians who not only based in South Africa but work in other parts of the world, ” says Luvuyo Kakaza, CTMA’s Projects Director.
“We have had great success with Switzerland based drummer Kesivan Naidoo who played to full capacity audience at the Baxter with his band comprising of musicians from Brazil, Italy, Switzerland, Swaziland and South Africa, ” explains Kakaza.
Apart from just performances, the series offers develpelement to young musicians. Legendary saxophonist McCoy Mrubata and visiting guitar wizard Gary Wittner offered workshops to music students of the Kronendal Music Academy based in Hout Bay. Four songs by McCoy Mrubata were workshopped and the music students from Kronendal Music Academy played a curtain raiser at McCoy Mrubata’s concert at Joseph Stone Auditorium in Athlone. They also performed two songs with McCoy Mrubata and Gary Wittner.
” We building audiences and future musicians by showcasing the young alongside legendary musicians, “ explains Kakaza.
Apart from Tutu Puoane’s gig other upcoming concerts include Johannesburg based trumpeter Mandla Mlangeni’s ensemble with special guest pianist Yonela Mnana on 27 at the Youngblood Africa Gallery, 28 August at Guga S’thebe and 29 August at Joseph Stone Auditorium. The last gig will feature the Kyle Shepherd Trio on 31 October.
A wonderful weekend ahead and LOTS more to look forward to!!
WHAT: Tutu Puoane LIVE | WHERE: Youngblood Africa Gallery 70, 72 Bree St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8001 | Guga S’thebe Washington St, Langa, Cape Town, 7455 | WHEN: 8 & !0 August 2025 | BOOKING: All tickets are available on Quicket | INFO: Luvuyo Kakaza C 060 960 8935 | E luvuyo.pkakaza@gmail.com
