Laka, Ngwenya on celebratory tour
Legends fuse kwai/jazz and mbaqanga
After decades of flirting with a new sound, legendary musicians Don Laka and Moses Ngwenya of Soul Brothers have collaborated in a kwai/jazz-meets-mbaqanga concept.
Laka, who celebrates 45 years in the music industry, has roped in the kings of mbaqanga, Soul Brothers, in his national celebration tour.
The tour was officially launched at Yamaha Theatre in Marlboro, outside Alexandra township, yesterday.
Laka said they had been toying around with the idea for the past three decades.
Laka said he chose Soul Brothers because of their popularity in the mbaqanga genre, not only in South Africa but internationally.
“It was befitting for me to choose Soul Brothers because Moss himself is celebrating 45 years as a musician. The group is also celebrating 42 years in the industry.
“When touring, I will perform my songs and they will perform theirs, and we will then collaborate. We will be celebrating [a combined] 90 years of music excellence.” Ngwenya said the collaboration was not only benefiting the group but mbaqanga music as a whole. He said working alongside a kwai/jazz giant like Laka will earn mbaqanga more respect.
National Department of Arts and Culture’s deputy director Catherine Mokoena said: “We became part of the initiative because we wanted to honour our legends while they are still alive. We are dedicated to honouring and celebrating our legends.”
The national tour starts on April 7 at the Soweto Theatre.
Meanwhile, Soul Brothers will perform at the Vosloorus Civic Centre on Saturday.