Bassists perform to raise funds for a Durban NGO

In what has been a very difficult year for many citizens around the globe resulting from the outbreak of Covid-19, seventeen talented bassists have decided to lend a hand of support through an online performance aimed at raising funds for LifeLine Durban which will form part of the regular Unlocked Music Sessions on Wednesday 14 October at 6pm. The concert is presented by University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Centre for Jazz and Popular Music and iSupport Creative Business. Tickets which cost R80 are available at Webtickets.

LifeLine Durban is a respected and experienced Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) offering professional and confidential counselling services dealing with emotional crisis, trauma, abuse, violence, rape, HIV/AIDS, depression and suicide.  The mental state of many citizens as a result of the lockdown which has led to disruption of learning at school and tertiary institutions, some either losing their jobs, taking wage cuts severely affecting the stability of families and the economy is something that has been an issue of great concern.  LifeLine can do with financial support to meet its objectives.

The online concert features Mozambican born Ildo Nandja who is now a steady feature in the Netherlands jazz scene, Durban born Llewelyn Chetty who is now based in China, UK based Deon Krishnan who has toured extensively across Europe and shared the stage with international stars such as Dionne Warwick, Jonathan Butler and Hugh Masekela, renowned bassist Lex Futshane who has worked with the likes of Winston “Mankunku” Ngozi, Rashied Lanie, Bheki Khoza, Bheki Mseleku, Ezra Ngcukana, Ulrich Sussie and Brice Wassy.

Bassist Ildo Nandja

Bassist Ildo Nandja who will be performing in the live stream concert

Also forming part of the lineup is living legend Carlo Mombelli who has recorded and performed at many respected festivals, including the Roma Villa Celimontana Jazz Festival, the Stockholm Jazz Festival, the German Moers and Leipzig Jazz Festivals, the ‘On the Edge of Wrong’ festival in Norway, the Banlieues Blues Festival in Paris and the JazzWerkstatt in Bern to name a few.

Baba KB Maphumulo of Umkhumbane Jazz Ensemble, Aus Tebza also known as “The Queen of Bass” and “The Groove Queen”, exciting duo The Sound of Ardenne (Simon Hampton and Dan Wilson), founding member of Little Giants Shaun Johannes, Ariel Zamonsky and Banda Banda who are both session bassists for a list of South African jazz giants and incredible artists in their own right will also make an appearance at this online concert.  Completing the amazing line up are Durban based favourite sessionists Freeman Gumede, Talent “Mzukulu” Mbatha, Lenski Alfred, Senzo Mdamba, Ntobeko “NtoBass” Shandu and Giyani Shangase.

This concert is made possible by The SAMRO Foundation and Concerts SA.  Concerts SA is a joint South African/Norwegian live music development project under the auspices of SAMRO and managed by IKS Cultural Consulting.  Concerts SA receives financial, administrative and technical support from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, SAMRO and the SAMRO Foundation.  Working with musicians, promoters, venue owners and audiences, and providing support to the sector through research and skills development for music professionals, the project aims to build a vibrant and viable live music by showcasing music performances and conducting workshops at schools.

To purchase the tickets please follow the link https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/Performance.aspx?itemid=1503075635.  Visit LifeLine Durban at www.lifelinedurban.org.za Follow ConcertsSA on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ConcertsSA, like their Facebook Page www.facebook.com/ConcertsSA and visit their website http://concertssa.co.za