Bra Louis returns to Guga S’thebe

“We love you, we love you, you don’t have to love us, we love you…” drummer Louis Moholo-Moholo sang enthusiastically during a concert last Saturday evening, January 27, at the amphitheatre at Guga S’thebe Arts Centre in Langa.

Part of a series titled Sonke – uplift the people, this show was the first in a series of three consecutive Saturday evenings in the same venue to celebrate the music of Bra Louis with and in his home community.

Contributing to the magic at the first show was another Langa musician – vocalist Fancy Galada, along with the pianist Mervyn Africa. Having been forcibly removed from District Six, Africa lived in exile in London for decades and while there played and recorded with Bra Louis.

Now both back at home in the Cape, Bras Louis and Mervyn rekindled their strong musical connection.

Also on stage, bassist Brydon Bolton held down the lower frequencies, while saxophonist Abraham Mennen impressed those in the audience who hadn’t heard his playing before.

Over two sets the music flowed, with tracks drifting or charging into the next including rousing reworks of Lakutshona Ilanga, Yakhal’Inkomo and You Ain’t Gonna Know Me ‘Cos You Think You Know Me along with other songs from the South African jazz songbook, many of which were written or recorded by Bra Louis and his colleagues in the Blue Notes.

The show this Saturday February 3, starts at 6pm and will again be outdoors, weather permitting, at Langa’s Guga S’thebe Arts Centre in King Langalibalele Drive.

For this special occasion, Bra Louis welcomes Hilton Schilder to join him for a drum and piano duet whereby together they’ll have space to improvise and explore each other’s musicality under the open sky.

For tickets contact 0606 725 052 or you can buy them from the Chimurenga office at the Pan-African Market, 76 Long Street, Cape Town for R120 or R150 at the door.