Golden oldies on stage

Menyatso Mathole.

The Jazz in the Native Yards presents the 1980s Afro-jazz legacy of Sakhile with its co-founder Menyatso Mathole and friends, at KwaSec NY 138 No 52, on Sunday October 16.

“It gives me great excitement that I will be playing with my Cape Town friends and revisiting some of the music of the 1980s,” says Mr Mathole. He will perform with drummer Kevin Gibson, bass guitarist Spencer Mbadu and saxophonist Buddy Wells.

The concert will have a combination of sounds of Sakhile with that of Malombo, Renaissance and Spirit Rejoice.

Mr Mathole produced six albums plus and a maxi album with Sakhile and with this band was involved in cultural exchange programmes internationally and locally.

They commemorated their 10th anniversary as a group, at Wembley Stadium, celebrating the release of Nelson Mandela in 1990.

He has shared the stage with many renowned musicians including Dudu Pukwana, Phillip Tabane, Jack Lerole, Bheki Mseleku, Busi Mhlongo, Brenda Fassie, Simphiwe Dana, Miriam Makeba, Mahlathini, Mahotela Queens, Basil ‘Manenburg’ Coetzee, Robbie Jansen, Nico Carsten, Makgona Tsohle Band, Dolly Rathebe and many others.

On international stages he has performed with other greats like Brice Wassy, Stanley Clarke, Delfeayo Marsalis, Anita Baker, George Duke, Natalie Cole, Eric Clapton, Lee Retenor, Tracy Chapman, Joan Armatrading, Patty Label, Bob Minitzer, Femi Kuti, Klaus Doldinger and Passport.

In 2005 Mr Mathole moved to Kgabalatsane in North West. Here he teamed up with fine artists – Tony Makou, Roepsie Mahune, Kgwalepe Kgasi, John Pegg to rebuild a music industry that accommodates all. Outside his rural village community he also takes part in community projects such as Ga-Rankuwa Mamelodi and Mabopane Community Development Forums such as Lesiba, Cafca and Bataki ba Tshwane. He has been working at developing choirs with the elderly women and schoolchildren at the Motsile Primary School. He is also volunteering, giving free music workshops for the teachers in his community.

Mr Mathole still continues his trio – now with a greater source of musicians. Freelancing, he recorded a few albums with the Steve Dyers band and others. Together with the remaining members he is planning a seventh Sakhile album. The last project recorded was a collaboration with Vusi Mahlasela and other musicians around the world under the title Playing for change produced by an American company

Entry fee is R60 at the door and R30 for pensioners and students.

Contact Luvuyo Kakaza on 060 960 8935 for details.