BREATH OF LIFE
Msaki sets Velvet Lounge sizzling
SOUTH African Music Awards (Sama) nominated East London singer Msaki has partnered with the Velvet Jazz Lounge to host a series of concerts in the city this June.
The joint venture between the Velvet Jazz Lounge and Msaki’s OneShuShu Day Concerts will see the lounge hosting various artists throughout the year.
Msaki said they were breathing a bit more life into the lounge. “We will be doing art programmes such as poetry, discussion dialogues and book clubs during the week.
“The main thing is the June Series which will see us hosting shows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” she said.
Msaki released her debut album Zaneliza: How the Water Moves in 2016 and it earned her a Sama nomination last year as best adult contemporary album.
The Velvet Jazz Lounge owner Alfredo Naidoo said he was looking forward to seeing all that Msaki would do for the place.
“The lounge hasn’t really been open – I’ve been using it as office space and hosting a couple of private functions. I am looking forward to seeing Msaki transform this place into a creative hub for all the artists.”
Naidoo said the lounge had played an instrumental role in the live music scene of East London and he could not wait to see what was ahead for it.
“Msaki is someone who has been around and knows these artists. She is creative and the lounge needs that fresh breath of air.” June will see the likes of Berita, MXO and
Akanamali hitmaker Samthing Soweto headlining.
Msaki will also be bringing her fresh sound to the lounge. She said they would also be hosting a special jazz evening on Sunday with artists such as Lulama Gawulana, Omagugu Makhathini and Nduduzo Makhathini performing.
Among many things lined up, she said they would also have a pop-up food and fashion show on June 24. Activities at the lounge are expected to start from a Wednesday right up to the Sunday, with various programmes lined up.
“Part of the reason that I’ve been away was to make these relationships and make sure that people find me as a landing spot in East London. People in East London love live music and they love and enjoy an alternative artistic lifestyle and those are things that I am passionate about. This will be a start of that journey,” said Msaki.
She has been spending a lot of her time travelling between Johannesburg and East London and to ensure that the Velvet Jazz Lounge stays relevant and she plans to train a few people. “I want to make sure that nothing stops when I am gone, I want everything to continue,” she said.
The first artist who will take to the stage on June 9 will be Berita, joined by Msaki. Tickets are R180 and can be booked at
quicket.co.za .— poliswap@dispatch.co.za