NINE youngsters from the Uitenhage Brass Band took part in the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, better known as the Kaapse Klopse earlier this year and event organisers are hopeful that more musicians from the area will join the music festival.
Eugene Jenniker, managing director of Cape Town Music Assembly said the youngsters between the ages of 17 and 27 put up an excellent performance.
“Even though this was their first performance in front of a big crowd, the youngsters from Uitenhage were really on fire and were well received by the Kaapse Klopse,” said Jenniker.
“There’s a lot of talent in Uitenhage. They just need to be seen.”
The Uitenhage Brass Band formed part of the Cape Town based band West London All Stars and were placed second overall. Apart from participating in the Kaapse Klopse, the musicians from Uitenhage also performed at Voorsmaakie Road March and on New Year’s Eve they joined the Cape Malay Choir.
In a bid to get more musicians from Uitenhage involved in the Kaapse Klopse, Jenniker together with the Cape Town Music Assembly band members will be travelling to Uitenhage in June, to conduct a workshop for those who are interested in participating in the 2021 carnival.
Instruments being played in the Kaapse Klopse carnival include tambourine, hood drum, guitar, mandolin, banjo, cello, violin and the ghoema. Manager of Uitenhage Brass Band, Colin Suys, said the atmosphere at the Kaapse Klopse event was amazing.
“It was great to see young and older people enjoying our performance and the sound that we provided.”
He said the band consists of 30 members between the ages 11 to 50 and does not have an official studio to practise, but instead they practise in a back yard.
“Local musicians who are interested to join our band are most welcome. There is a lot of talent in Uitenhage,” said Suys.
- For more information contact Colin Suys on 062 150 9772.
