Hanmer and Oldfield collaborate for ‘Songlines Tour’
VOCALIST Wendy Oldfield and pianist Paul Hanmer have each made a significant contribution to the nuances of local music. While they can usually be seen fronting their own jazz and rock ensembles, they now team up for a joint Songlines Tour, made possible by The Concerts SA Mobility Fund – a funding mechanism which offers opportunities for musicians to tour, which is administered by Concerts SA, a joint SA/ Norwegian project.
Times have changed, but the beauty of heartfelt songwriting has not. Oldfield and Hanmer’s collabo- ration is a fusion of jazz, folk, pop and African rhythms. Both are wellknown as musicians, composers and songwriters – Oldfield as an indie rock and world music songwriter, and Hanmer as an innovative jazz pianist and composer. Together they have bridged a path between genres with their own original style and sound, exposing audiences to a new space of live music appreciation.
Their extensive Songlines tour, which also takes them to Joburg, Durban and the Garden Route, sees the duo extend the impact of their art with guest performers along the way – this includes Louis Mhlanga and Linda Sikhakhane.
“Paul and I were put together in a SAfm collaboration series about eight years ago at the National Arts Festival. The series was all about putting together these unlikely musical pairs for concerts. It was the first time Paul and I played together. And I always wanted to revisit that experience. It was so special. We play each other’s songs. Paul arranges my songs in the Paul Hanmer way, so my pop songs are transformed into these epic jazz pieces! And I do the same. I take his music and add my flavour to it, with lyrics and melodies, chanting and djembe.
“The response we’ve received so far has been fantastic. We’ve had encores all the way. The music is something special. Even I am still astounded by its beauty. You just have to come experience it for yourself !”, enthuses Oldfield.
Hear them on Wednesday at Straight No Chaser at 8.30pm and 10pm (Tickets: R100 per set, 076 679 2697), at the Alma Café on Saturday at 6.30pm (021 685 7377), on Sunday at 6.30pm at Slow Life, Muizenberg (Tickets, R100, 021 788 5849), and on July 28 at The Crypt at 7pm (Tickets R100, 079 683 4658,info@thecryptjazz.co.za)
www.facebook.com/Songlines Tour for information.