Oscar Rachabane is touring our town
QUIRKY Soweto hipster Oscar Rachabane will make a twonight stop in Durban next week as part of his national tour.
Rachabane has carved a niche for himself as a soulful saxophonist. With a jazz vocabulary in South African mbaqanga, his music is entrenched in the musical history of the country.
His achievements include opening for Abdullah Ibrahim while a member of the Gauteng Jazz Orchestra at the Johannesburg City Hall.
His style combines the bebop of jazz and blues, with kwela (a penny whistle-based street music).
Rachabane will perform at The Chairman on December 2 and 3 from 11pm and will be joined by equally accomplished musicians, guitarist Keenan Ahrends, and two German members of Seba Kaapstad – Sebastian Schuster on bass and Thomas Worle on drums
Rachabane was the youngest saxophonist to have played at Kippies, one of Johannesburg’s most famous jazz venues, making his debut in 2004 aged 15, sharing the stage with his grandfather, Barney Rachabane.
He has also played with many established artists, including Soweto Kinch (UK), Jason Yarde (UK), Louis Moholo, Khaya Mahlangu, Hugh Masekela and Afrika Mkhize.
The Oscar Rachabane & Friends tour is supported by the Music Mobility Fund, administered by Concerts SA which offers opportunities for South African musicians to undertake live tours.