COMPOSER and saxophonist, Nhlanhla Mahlangu in association with Concerts SA will present the compositions of the forthcoming debut album of his DaniMali project.
DaniMali is a body of multi-discipline art work (with music as the primary art form) that narrates the complexities of what it means to be a young black South African in “the new South Africa”. Its creative philosophy connects some of the world’s most vibrant art forms to the long-term continuum of jazz in South Africa’s own community. The project combines rhythmic and harmonic devices from a whole array or genres with serious roots in jazz and indigenous music.
The DaniMali project has been in development since 2013 and now Nhlanhla Mahlangu is proudly touring South Africa with a host of great musicians to bring the project to life. Joining him on the tour are Sthembiso Bhengu on trumpet, Keenen Ahrends on guitar, Sanele Phakathi on piano, Lungile Kunene on drums and Dalisu Ndlazi on bass. At selected shows, there will also be special guests joining in (vocalists Keorapetsoe Kolwane and Ntsiki Mqaba).
Mahlangu said, “We are preparing to record our debut album and this touring opportunity is the ultimate chance to let our already established audience know that the record is coming and also cultivate new audiences across the South African region. This tour gives us an open canvas to explore the new horizons presented by the scenes and venues outside our regular circles in Gauteng.”
Born in Mamelodi (Pretoria) in 1989, Nhlanhla Daniel Mahlangu picked up the saxophone at the age of 15. One of the earliest ensembles Mahlangu played in was a group led by Yonela Mnana, with whom he played tenor sax. Later he met and started working with Nduduzo Makhathini’s band, where the young musician began to fully explore the experimental side of modal music and recorded as a sideman. Although he pursued jazz as his primary interest, Mahlangu was influenced by a diverse range of musical sources, such as gospel, classical, hip-hop, kwaito, house, mbanqanga and motswako.
The Dani Mali Tour is supported by the Music Mobility Fund, a funding mechanism administered by Concerts SA which offers opportunities for South African musicians to undertake live music tours.
Event listings:
Durban – Jazzy Rainbow on Friday, 17 February, at 7pm. Address: 93 Smiso Nkwanyana Rd, Morningside. Tickets cost R80 (includes one drink).
For bookings call 031 303 8398 or email jazzyrainbow@mweb.co.za
Durban – The Chairman on Saturday, 18 February –at 11pm. Address: 146 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Durban. Tickets cost R150. For bookings call
079 753 6313 or email info@thechairmanlive.com