ALUTA CONTINUA!!! Annual Festival at the Biko Centre

In the heart of the home of the legends, find ‘Living Legend ‘ recognised by the National Department Of Sports Recreation Arts And Culture, from the Eastern Cape Home Of The Legends together with future generations, making music.

We preferring to a group of musicians including, the “84-year-old soft-toned, lithe-voiced King Williamstown crooner, Retsi Pule. And the living memory of a galaxy of stars including Tete Mbambisa, Barney Rachabane, Pat Matshikiza, Aubrey Simane, Johnny Mekoa, Early Mabuza, the late Dennis Mpale and Johnny Mbizo Dyani.

These annual events recognise great compositional achievement whilst developing new tenants in a virtuous cycle of skills transfer. Pule’s chug-a-long S’dudla, a single he cut in 1978, was the anthem of many parties in and around East London. Msenge by Tete Mbambisa refers to the tree from which the traditional instruments,menys are made. 

There are. variety of hotspots around Souther Africa where talent emerges. Nonesuch famous location is Duncan Village. Retsi Pule resided there with his parents. He came to meet  Johnny Dyani during late 50s when he would attend rehearsals at renowned self – taught Jazz pianist Tete Mbambisa’s home. They would rehearse their own repertoire as a close harmony vocal  group named ‘ The Four Yanks’ founded by pianist Tete who sang and backed the group on piano. Retsi would be slotted with his own repertoire as a soloist backed by them.

His maternal Grandparents, the Xiniwe Family lived in the same Zaula Street in Ginsburg Location where the late Steve Biko resided. Pule’s grandfather was African intellectual Paul Xiniwe, one-time owner of Esperance Hotel in King Williamstown who studied at Lovedale. Together with his wife Eleanor Xiniwe née Ndwanya enrolled as part of the African Choir, which was invited to sing before Queen Victoria in Britain around 1891 and had the single-minded proposition to raise funds towards the education of the African child.

Pule periodically lived with the Xiniwe household. His early influences included his uncle Funda Xiniwe, a renowned jazz vocalist.

Pukwana writes: “During the West Bank old location days Funda used to enthral audiences at the then Peacock Hall and Social Centre Hall alongside the likes of acclaimed vocalist Nosisi Ethel Rululu.”

Retsi certainly developed this trait of enthralling audiences. MEC for Rural Development Kontsiwe during her tenure as MEC for arts and culture once remarked that she and some of her very young counterparts would enjoy listening to Pule’s music being aired over the SABC Apartheid segregated Radio Bantu FM Station, by presenters such as Theo Mcinga, Given Ntlebi, Augustin Nongauza and Dambile Thuswa.

Since 2002 Retsi is a driving force for music education in the Eastern Cape. As a classmate to Biko, studying Junior Certificate, Retsi’s historical musical input began with the organising of close – harmony  groups at school and in previously disadvantaged black communities in his neighborhood. He grew up moulding and mentoring talented and aspirant singers with ‘basic singing skills.’

Throughout his illustrious career, he has devoted his life to growing and developing musicians. He has a Diploma in Public Relations and has recently made a documentary on the life and times of composer Allan Mzamo Silinga whose classic Ntyilo Ntyilo continues to be the signature tune of our lives.

Photographic Exhibition fills the Biko Centre with Music

Ukunyangwa KweTyala – a celebration of Jazz Heritage by Vuyo Giba

Giba’s works exemplify the the collaborative spirit of Eastern Cape musicians. As part of an international initiative called Women in Jazz Media, Giba seeks to acknowledge and celebrate female photographers, composers, and players globally. Her photographic exhibition celebrates the rich history and heritage of jazz music in the Eastern Cape, showcasing the influential artists and the vibrant culture that has shaped this musical genre. The featured artworks celebrate the Eastern Cape’s jazz heritage and its prominent musicians.

Eastern Cape jazz music holds a significant place in the global jazz landscape. A unique blend of traditional African sounds, township influences and the dialogue between African rhythms and improvisation has given Eastern Cape jazz an identity internationally.

Eastern Cape is a breeding ground for innovative musicians, leaders and fine artists who have drawn inspiration from the region’s diverse cultural heritage. The vibrant legacy of arts and culture was at its height in the 1950s. World class musicians hailed from all of the region such as the famous Matshikiza Brothers, Nomvete and international legends Dudu Pukwana, Pinise Saul and of course Johnny Dyani who made a mark on the world stage during the anti-apartheid struggle.

“Nachwuchsforderung” – the conscious policy and practice of transferring societal values, knowledge and skills to the next generation, Gompo Arts 2022 pic Vuyo Giba

Unique jazz and creative arts workshop for 30 new Eastern Cape talents

In the Eastern Cape Jazz is a growing legacy brand for the region. Aluta Continua!!! is now a permanent feature of the Eastern Cape Jazz landscape and building the foundation for cultural exchange with positive reach and impact.

Over the last two years, audiences in the Eastern Cape have witnessed the extraordinary return to Duncan Village of the legacy of the prodigal son – Johnny Mbizo Dyani. Composer of the landmark “Song for Biko,” album (1979), he was a hero of the solidarity movement in exile. Dyani co-founded Jazz Against Apartheid event in Germany in 1985. The event continued after his death with over 100 concerts on three continents showing the longevity of the initiative.  It was the multi-culturalism of music that helped destroy apartheid.

Today his legacy lives on as a way-shower for IMVUSELELO and the awakening to the cultural riches of the Eastern Cape.

Former South African exile in Germany and rural development practitioner, Professor Peggy Luswazi from Mthatha now 85 years of age, has motivated for many years for the continuation of the Eastern Cape Germany co-operation. Luswazi enjoyed a direct interaction with the Jazz Against Apartheid project during the many active years of study and work in Berlin, at the peak of the anti-apartheid struggle.

She is the founder of the ILIMA LABANTU movement in Mthatha which aspires to contribute to the Reconstruction and Development of post-apartheid South Africa with special focus on the rural areas. A point of focus for her is establishing a system and chain of art academies in the Eastern Cape.

We’re excited to announce an exclusive skills transfer workshop celebrating the holistic practices of jazz. This immersive experience spans from jazz vocals and instrumentals to fine art and photography, designed to elevate and inspire local talent. Inform your local community centres, arts, academies, emerging and professional musicians. This is the opportunity to network, engage, activate and empower in a uniquely Eastern Cape fusion of entertainment and inner-attainment.

Learn, connect, and grow within the vibrant jazz community in a series of workshops, open discussions, interviews and masterclasses. A brilliant group of facilitators continue the inter-generational skills transfer whilst creating new experiences, transformative opportunities and well documented resources. Whilst building bridges between the gaps in history, memory, culture and economy, there is contribution to the holistic elevation of the Eastern Cape jazz and creative arts sector.

The third annual Eastern Cape Jazz Heritage gathering at the Steve Biko Centre captures the essence of the music of the region, and serves as a testament to the vital role music plays in maintaining the greatness of Eastern Cape as a home of future leaders and legends.

Finer Details:

Date: December 7^th 2024

Times:

11AM – 1PM. Vocal and photographic workshops

2PM – 6PM Exhibition,  performances and open dialogues …

Talent Applications Open: 30 music and creativity talents will be given the opportunity to join these interactive and participative masterclasses. If you’re a passionate musician, artist, or photographer based in the Eastern Cape, send a short video to jazzuhuru@gmail.com or Whatsapp to +27 72 956 8134.

Closing Date for Applications : November 24, 2024.

Open discussions: Hybrid online and in person discussions take place November 2024 until the event date of December 7^th.

Director: Struan Douglas struan@afribeat.com + 72 956 8134

Photography: Vuyo Giba 

Music: Retsi Pule in collaboration with vocalists Siphokazi Ngxokolo-Bili and Neahtyah Mbuyazwe and pianist Sinethemba Bili.

Sponsors: Eastern Cape Development Corporation, Steve Biko Centre, Birkview Lodge

Website: afribeat.com

Prints for sale: Giba’s works such as “Trumpet in Motion,” Fingers of Feya Faku “Saxophone Soul,” Portrait of Patrick Pasha “Bass Lines,” an image of Lex Futshane and

“Ballet & Jazz, A Harmonious Dance” and “Portrait of Tete Mbambisa.” Works range in price from 5000 – 6000.

Limited Edition on Sale: A limited 2024 signed ad framed print of Retsi Pule at work is on sale for R10 000.

Books, CDs and DVDs for sale:  Some of the works on sale include the Story of South African Jazz (R300 each), Johnny iMbizo Dyani Songbook (R450) and the iMbizo yamaKhono music education series (R150 each).

#afribeatmusic  #sausagefilms #imvuselelo #johnnydyani @jazzuhuru @struhuru @sbf @ecdc

 ENDS