International saxophonist comes to Durban

DURBAN Mondays will be fun again with The Monday Big Band led by George Mari performing at KuDTa at Wilson’s Wharf every Mondays from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

The weekly big band gathering showcases the city’s swinging talent and provides an opportunity for a regular big band night which is something new for Durban.

The band features a 13-piece line-up of Durban based jazz musicians including Burton Naidoo (piano) Llewellyn Chetty (bass), Sbu Zondi (drums), Debbie Mari (vocals) with Thabo Sikakhane, Phuti Mofokeng and George Mari (trumpets), to mention but a few.

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The Monday Big Band promises to make Monday’s the favourite day of the week with a wide range of repertoire including Little Sunflower, Doxy, Jive Samba, Lullabye of Birdland, South African standards such as Shona, The Mandela Suite and other original compositions by the band members.

American artist Korey Riker, who is currently touring with John Legend as saxophonist, flautist and featured soloist for his ‘Darkness & Light’ tour which comes to Durban the same week, will be sitting in with The Monday Big Band.

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Riker released his second album ‘Recognizance’ in 2015 and was a recipient of the 2016 Kimmel Center Jazz Composer Residency grant where he was afforded the opportunity to further explore his work as a composer, producer and performer. Jazz enthusiasts can catch him live, for one night only, where he’ll be sharing the bandstand with some of Durban’s finest jazz musicians. Entrance to the jazz extravaganza is free.