Double bonanza as Smith, Neville share the stage
GRAMMY Award-winning legend Cyril Neville shares the stage in the Playhouse Opera Theatre with Durban’s own Sama-winning favourite, Ernie Smith. The double-bonanza is presented by the International Arts Foundation (IAF) and The Playhouse Company.
The stars will perform with their own bands in a cultural exchange between New Orleans and Durban in The Playhouse Opera Theatre on May 5 at 7.30pm.
Neville, the celebrated 68-year-old American percussionist and vocalist, has been called a philosopher, poet, and one of the last great southern soul singers. In 1970, he released his debut solo single, Gossip, which included backing music by his brother, Art Neville’s, new outfit, The Meters.
The new group were looking to expand their line-up and asked Cyril to join in on vocals and percussion, contributing to classic Meter’s albums such as 1972’s Cabbage Alley and 1975’s Fire on the Bayou. Later that year, The Rolling Stones invited The Meters to support their World Tour. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards wouldn’t have it any other way: “You guys should come on tour with us, with Cyril as your singer,” is how it was put to The Meters, who obliged.
Neville has co-written songs with Bono of U2, Taj Mahal, Daniel Lanois, to name a few. It was Neville whom Lanois credits as the musical catalyst that led to Neville’s Grammy Award-winning record, Yellow Moon.
Most recently, he has fronted and sung for New Orleans Funk band Galactic, the Voice of the Wetlands Allstars, The Neville Brothers and continues to do shows with his own group, Tribe 13.
He has performed all over the world including the famous Amnesty International tour with U2 and The Police, and sang for Nelson Mandela.
Wentworth-born Ernie Smith, 46, is noted for his fine craftsmanship of quality contemporary jazz and urban music.
Propelled by the sounds of mentors like Salif Keita, Jonathan Butler, George Benson, Moses Taiwa Molelekwa and many others, coupled with his ambition to attract young and old to listen to thoughtful music, Smith has developed a style that is a seamless integration of jazz, African and R&B.
Producer Ernest Kelly, IAF president and chairman, said: “This bumper concert forms part of International Arts Foundation’s mission to create more opportunities for Durban using initiatives like the New Orleans-Durban Sister City Agreement to help facilitate projects that take place in Durban during the World Economic Forum on Africa.”
Tickets range from R350 to R650, and block booking discounts are available. There’s a 30% concession for pensioners and students. Booking through Computicket and The Playhouse Box Office at 031 369 9540/369 9596 (office hours).