Do not miss performances by The Hanepoot Big Band, led by trombonist Jannie “Hanepoot” van Tonder at the Helderberg Nature Reserve in Somerset West on Sunday on 5 February.
This musical delight forms part of the Friends of the Helderberg Nature Reserve’s Sunset Concert series, which is in its 18th year and takes place every Sunday until the end of February.
After a six-year hiatus, Van Tonder will be joined by Chris Tokalon, Jasper Cook, Muneeb Hermans, Douglas Armstrong, George Werner, Charl Clayton, Nick Green, Steven Sokuyeka, Andrew O’Donoghue, Matt Willis, Bruce Muirhead and Sidney Mckinnon to perform their stage magic.
Van Tonder has been a member of groups such as the African Jazz Pioneers, the Gereformeerde Blues Band, Winston’s Jive Mixup, The Blues Broers, and has worked with South African music stalwarts such as Vusi Mahlasela, Basil Coetzee, Sean Bergin, Nico Carstens, James Phillips, Abdullah Ibrahim (Dollar Brand) and Jimmy Dludlu.
The band plays only SA material, most of which are original compositions, covering regular swing and Latin styles, but with a strong focus on indigenous mbaqanga and goema.
They also perform their own arrangements of SA jazz standards, including classics by Ibrahim, Masekela, Chris McGregor, Errol Dyers and Zakes Nkosi.
The concert starts at 17:30 and tickets, at R60 and R30 for scholars, are available at the gate or from Computicket. Children under five enter for free.
The ticket price includes entrance to the nature reserve. Parking is available inside.
The gates open at 15:30 for concert goers. All proceeds of the concert series go towards environmental projects in the Helderberg Nature Reserve.
For enquiries, phone 021 851 4060 or visit www.helderbergnaturereserve.co.za.
