Durban will end Heritage Month with Musical Collaboration in Cultural Diversity (MCCD) which will be hosted at The Station Urban Event Space – Roof Top of the Durban Railway Station on Saturday 30 September.  Its theme is ‘Jazz Meets Bollywood’ which is evident in the lineup of musicians that will be performing.  Revellers will be entertained by Jimmy Dludlu, Shashika Mooruth, Thee Legacy, Nick Pitman, Vincent Mtetwa, Nicky Shange, Virendra Mohan, Shanjeet Teeluck, Vitech Surujbally, Royalson, Vishen Kemraj, Dilkash, Thee Legacy and Zawadi Yamungu.

One of the reasons behind the MCCD is to acknowledge cultural differences among citizens of South Africa and bring about social cohesion.  It is sponsored by the National Arts Council which is the funding agency of the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture.  Artists that are billed to perform will be spreading messages of togetherness in celebration of South African cultural diversity by different races.  Music is the best way to forge unity that lasts a lifetime.

MCCD is the brainchild of Philani Duma who is the CEO of Sagiya Foundation and Executive Director of Futureview, Sanjay Bikramchund. They want to build bridges between South Africans Indians and indigenous Africans through music.  Concerts where artists of these two races share a stage are not very common.  The event will also be about nations coming together to support economic, social and political initiatives.

Vocalist Shashika Mooruth

Jimmy Dludlu’s style includes wide-ranging influences, combining both traditional and modern elements of jazz drawn from among others Wes Montgomery, George Benson and Pat Metheny, to African rhythms and melodies of South African legends such as Miriam Makeba, Letta Mbulu, Hugh Masekela, Themba Mokoena and Allen Kwela.  He is particularly drawn to the sounds of west and central Africa, as well as Latin America, but says jazz remains his first love.  His numerous original compositions fall within the tradition of what has been loosely termed Afro-Jazz.

His debut album “Echoes From The Past” was released in 1997 and was followed by more recordings that earned him several awards.  His latest studio recording “History In A Frame” earned the guitarist his 13th South African Music Award (SAMA) in the Best Jazz Album category where he was also awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.  The South African Music Week 2022 also honoured Jimmy with the Legend Award 2022/2023 for his contribution to the growth and success of South African music heritage.  In Mozambique, he was appointed the Ambassador of Timbila Festival in Zavala, which took place on 17 December 2022.

Bollywood vocalist Shashika Mooruth was just 8 years old when she began music untrained in 1972.   South Africa had no infrastructure for Indian music at the time.  By the time she was 14, she had sung to some of the largest audiences in South African raising funds for old age homes, orphanages, charitable trusts, missionaries, spiritual organizations and various fundraising initiatives.  Her intense thirst for music saw her leaving South Africa in 1987 at the age of 23 to pursue training in Indian classical music in Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan Sangeet, Mumbai.

Guitarist Nick Pitman

She holds a certificate in sitar and vocal and graduated with a BSc degree from the University of South Africa (UNISA).  In 2003, with the desire to produce original music, Shashika launched her own music label Urja Music.  Her music has received awards in US, reached US Billboard and iTunes charts.  Today she is not just a singer and music producer but a creative director of events, motivational speaker and music speaker. She received the International Achievement in Music from President Cyril Ramaphosa at the 24th edition of the SAMAs in 2018 organized by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA).

Thee Legacy is an Isicathamiya group which consists of Khanyisani Mazibuko, Philani Duma, Emile Ngcobo, Simphiwe Sikhakhane and Jabulani Mthembu.  Their hit single “Wena Wedwa” dropped in January 2017 and was used as a soundtrack for Simba Chips ‘Mapha’ commercial and appeared on many TV stations.  The single was on Ukhozi FM and Metro FM charts in the number one spot for more than 8 weeks in July.  They have received nominations at the SAMAs, Metro FM Awards and South African Traditional Music Awards.  Thee Legacy has also done film scoring for the movie “Wonder Boy For President” directed by John Baker Son.

Guitarist, producer, and music teacher Nick Pitman is adept at traversing a diverse range of genres.  He possesses a keep aptitude for blending and bending genre conventions, creating a unique and captivating musical signature. His versatility has made him a sought after session musician, collaborating with some of the country’s greatest talents and enriching his repertoire through performances with duos, trios, quartets, and other bands, in addition to his flourishing solo career.  He is gearing up to record his highly anticipated debut album, promising to take listeners on an enthralling musical journey, brimming with innovation and passion.

Multi instrumentalist Shanjeet Teeluck

Pianist Vincent Mtetwa has a BPrac Mus and a Diploma in Light Music.  His career as a lecturer at UKZN has exposed him to many great musicians and allowed him to groom others in the process.  He works with community projects and has been part of the Bat Centre and Msunduzi Music School.  The awards he has received are numerous and an indication of how talented he is.   He produced an album with Ukhumbane Jazz Ensemble, a Durban based ensemble of jazz legends.  Mtetwa is currently promoting his debut album “Judgement Day” that he released under Sagiya Records independent label.

Rajive Mohan is a leading South African music composer of international standards who started playing music with his father’s band Regal Entertainers when he was young.  His father taught him how to play the. Keyboard and later went to study a little western classical piano at the University of Durban-Westville while completing his Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Biochemistry. Rajive has studied Indian Classical Music and often accompanies renowned South African singers and musicians. He is the owner and sound engineer of a high-tech studio called House of Audio which was established in 1998.

Vishen Kemraj is one of South African well renowned tabla players who began his career at the age of 9, inspired by his father who was also a musician.  As he grew up, so did his love and passion for the instrument. His quest to learn more about music took him to India where he studied at Bharatiya Vidya Bawan.  On his return, he began teaching Indian Classical Music under the banner of TAAL School Music.  As an artist, he has performed throughout the African continent and in countries such as Germany, US, Mauritius and many more.  He has shared the stage with jazz artists including Lu Dlamini, Madala Kunene and Mduduzi Magwaza.  Besides the tabla, he is equally skilled on other percussion instruments including Bhangra Dhol, Dholak, Nagara and Harmonium.

Vocalist Nicky Shange

Octabad player Vitech Surujbally’s musical journey began at the age of 4.  He had an enormous and growing passion for music and soon began studying the tabla under the late Basanth Ramachandra.  He also learnt other percussion instruments like the conga and dhola.  Currently, he plays drums and octapad.  Vitesh has followed his ultimate dream as a leading percussionist earning accolades with his congenial performances throughout South Africa.  Due to his talent and pursuance of love for music, he is a handpicked and discerning musician of note and takes his music seriously.  His ultimate wish is to perform with Indo musicians.

Vocalist Virendra Mohan began singing with Regal Entertainers at the age of 10.  He was initially trained by his parents Mohan and Shantie Jagunandan before studying Indian classical music formally.  Virendra likes to fuse different styles of music to foster unity and diversity in South Africa.  He performs regularly at concerts and hopes to create a unique sound with indigenous musicians to forge unity through music.  Sitar player Shanjeet Teeluck was born in Mauritius where he studied music before relocating to South in pursuit of Indian classical music.  He established Nawras School of Music and Dance where he teaches sitar, table, guitar, harmonium and vocals.  Shanjeet has performed sitar recitals, bhajans, Indo songs and his favourite ghazals locally and internationally.

Nicky Shange is currently promoting her live EP which she recorded at Sagiya Celebrates KZN Jazz Legends in 2021.  It includes songs “Sizani”, “Living My Life”, “Izindaba”, “Bayalila” and “Dream On”.  In 2016, Nicky was the lead singer in a project called Forest Jam Orchestra, which consisted of musicians from Switzerland, Mozambique and South Africa.  The group performed live at Kaya FM and toured South Africa and neighbouring countries.  In 2018, she performed songs by her late mentor Busi Mhlongo in a live broadcast at Ukhozi FM which honoured fallen South African music icons.  In the same year, she performed at Imbumba Fiesta, a festival that was held in Durban.

Pianist Vincent Mtetwa

Vocalist Royalson is promoting his album “Sana Lwami” which was launched during MCCD 2022.  He received a nomination for SATMA Awards 2022 in Best Afro Soul Song category.  His debut Royalson Live in Concert video was recorded during Sagiya Virtual Jazz Concert at The Playhouse Opera and the 2nd during Sagiya Celebrates KZN Jazz Legends at Ekhaya Multi Arts Centre.  He acquired Certificates of Music Tuition Programme from BAT Centre and KUMISA.  His music is receiving airplay in stations such as SAfm, Ukhozi FM, Vuma FM, Gagasi FM and most KZN community radio stations. Royalson has performed at festivals such as Durban Jazz Festivals and Ugu Jazz Festival.

Zawadi Yamungu is a South African indigenous musician born in Mandeni, North of KwaZulu-Natal. Her career started at a local church group. She later got exposed to acting, dance, writing and composing music which contributed to the enhancement of her career as a professional artist. Umakhweyana, Ugubhu string bow, Penny Whistle are some of the musical instruments that she plays with proficiency. Besides working with Mbuso Khoza’s African Heritage Ensemble, Zawadi also collaborated with Gcina Mhlophe, Madala Kunene, Themba Mkhize, Nduduzo Makhathini and other great musicians.

Revellers are expected to arrive at The Stations Events from 16h00.  Tickets are available at www.webtickets.co.za and Pick ‘n Pay.  They are ranging from R300 for general public and R700 for VIP. Use hashtags #SagiyaMCCD #FeelSpecial #DressYourCulture.  For more information, follow @sagiyafoundation and @mccdza on Instagram, like and follow the Facebook Page Sagiya Foundation, subscribe to the YouTube channel of Sagiya Foundation, and visit the website www.sagiyafoundation.co.za