Audience laps up premier jazz night in Ekurhuleni

Jazz bands, dancers and singers liven up intimate venue

NOK UK H ANY A Dlamini’s set at the August edition of the Birchwood Comes Alive jazz evening was such a powerful experience for the audience they cheered her on for an encore.

The soul singer continued to raise the bar on a night that was filled with exceptional performers.

The Music Academy of Gauteng Jazz Orchestra opened the night with a fitting tribute to their founder, trumpeter Johnny Mekoa.

The five soloists had the audience dancing to their voices and songs, while the band played their instruments like they had been doing it for years.

Resident master of ceremonies Hector Motivator also introduced the five female band members as part of Women’s Month celebrations.

Two of them played the trombone and trumpet, while the other three sang.

Celeste Ntuli, the comedienne for the night, gave an authentic set where she highlighted the plight of women.

She used the platform to also show how much more difficult it is for black women in society compared to others.

Although the audience was in hysterics, they also took in her message.

Closing off the night was the formidable headline act Lady Zamar, who turned the dinner night into a party that lasted to the early hours.

Lady Zamar has a talent for recreating her songs and singing them to different beats. She did this with several hits including Charlotte, My Baby and Love Is Blind.

The guests surrounded her on stage and sang along to every song. Her two dancers also set the mood.

When Lady Zamar joined in the choreography, her fans went crazy.

The Birchwood Comes Alive jazz evening takes place every month except January and has been happening for the last 17 years.

Portia Rathebe, who has been overseeing the event co-ordination for the last 10 years, handed over the reins to a new event manager who will take over starting next month.

The black and pink affair was complemented by a threecourse meal with wine on every table.

If you haven’t yet experienced the best jazz night Ekurhuleni has to offer, make it a point to set a date in September.

The event takes place at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg.

PICTURES: MATTHEWS BALOYI/AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY (ANA) BEATS: Nokukhanya Dlamini performs at the Birchwood Comes Alive event in Ekurhuleni in honour of Women’s Month at the weekend.

LUCKY: Malebo Mekoa receives a gift from Thulani Ntsuntsha of The Star. She won the newspaper’s prize at the Birchwood Comes Alive event.