Jazz Legacy Ensemble Presents The Soul Jazzmen Repertoire Concert

🎷 ECLIVES EVENT REFLECTION

I get excited when it comes to events like this one. I am someone who often shares my thoughts about Jazz music and those who came before us, because I carry a deep sense of nostalgia for the generations of Jazz in South Africa — especially from New Brighton and Langa in their glory days. I am encouraged that the younger generation of Jazz musicians still choose to pay homage, as this speaks to a living culture rather than a forgotten one. This idea of celebrating our legends, of honouring them while they are still with us, remains close to my heart. My anchor has always been the Soul Jazzmen, whose journey I have followed for most of my adult life. I consider myself blessed to have met many of the men and women who were part of that journey. I spent a great deal of time in Port Elizabeth with Thamsanqa ‘Big T’ Ntsele until his last days, and I remember his words in his final weeks: “I am not the dying type.”

May I then invite you to this event today at Mendi Arts Centre (details in poster above), as a living reflection of those words — that this music, and the Soul Jazzmen, continue to live through the spirit of the men and women performing for us at such a significant venue. As I write, I am drawn to the spirit of Tete Mambisa, Nikele Moya, Big T, Dennis Mpale, Sylvia Mdunyelwa, Vuyelwa Qhwesha, Luzipho Luzipho, Dineo ‘MaDinza’ Lebakeng, Jury Ntshinga, and Duke Makasi — and to the artists who will feature today. Enkosi Makwande, and may this music live on through all of you.

DISCLAIMER

eclives.co.za is not part of this event in any way. This is a fan reflection written in love for the culture by Lindikaya Ntshinga. The author is not involved in the event.

Photo credit: Ian Bruce Huntley / ElectricJive.

Author: Lindikaya Ntshinga