Sydney Mavundla joins New York Jazz veteran, Jeff Siegel live in concert
JOBURG – Jeff Siege performances to feature South-African trumpeter Sydney Mavundla.
A stone’s throw away from the world renowned Vilakazi Street, Just Badela Food and Wine is a township restaurant with a refreshingly ambient global appeal and is a perfect getaway to experience Soweto.
The restaurant will enthral patrons to a world-class performance by New York jazz veteran, consummate drummer and educator, Jeff Siege and the Jeff Siege Sextet featuring Sydney Mavundla on 21 June.
Patrons will be sure to experience the high-energy post-bop ensemble which features a line-up of compelling, virtuoso musicians with a wealth of experience among them. Four years ago,
bandleader Jeff Siegel first had the opportunity to visit South Africa and perform in the Grahamstown Jazz Festival and the National Youth Jazz Festival.
“Because African music is the root of what we play as jazz musicians, there was a feeling of being home while I was there,” said Siegel.
The collective musical invention combines the dynamic players along with their stunning arrangements as presented on each of the group’s releases. On piano, the group features Francesca Tanksley, whose work has ranged from touring with the Billy Harper Quartet to performances with the late Melba Liston. On bass is Jeff’s long-time collaborator Rich Syracuse who, along with Siegel, performed in the Lee Shaw Trio for many years as well as a decade with Nick Brignola. Erica Lindsay, on tenor saxophone, has performed with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers and Dizzy Gillespie to name a few.
The percussive partnership of Siegel and African Dance percussionist extraordinaire, Fred Berryhill, creates the perfect rhythmic foundation on which the ensemble is built. The percussionists combine the rhythms of Africa with all of the subtleties of swing to create a unique and dynamic sound perfect for the compositions at hand. The performances will feature South African trumpeter Sydney Mavundla who started playing the trumpet at the age of 14 and brings a rich international experience to the concert.
