Jazz Epistles’ reunion concert rekindles 1950s memories
THE much-anticipated reunion concert of the remaining members of the Jazz Epistles kicked off on Tuesday night at the Convention Centre at Emperor’s Palace in Kempton Park, East Rand.
The concert was attended by a heavy contingent of former and current government leaders. Former president Thabo Mbeki and his wife Zanele were in the house, as was former deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe and Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa and their partners.
EFF leader Julius Malema and his wife were also in tow, with Dali Mpofu, his wife and Mbuyiseni Ndlozi – flanked by actress Mmabatho Montsho and Floyd Shivambu – also there. It took MC and concert organiser, Metro FM DJ Thabo “T-Bo Touch” Molefe, a good 20 minutes getting through the protocol of acknowledging the many dignitaries before the piano master himself, Abdullah Ibrahim, came to the stage.
After a rousing solo, Ibrahim was joined by the rest of the group including revered Hugh Masekela and the legendary Jonas Gwangwa.
It was the first time in 50 years that the group members were reuniting on stage.
The Jazz Epistles played songs from their only recorded album of the 1950s. It is safe to say that the young among the crowd looked lost and started to fidget.
The performance included songs by the ensemble as well as a lot of numbers led by Ibrahim, and a few haunting melodies enjoyed by the audience – including the younger crowd. And when the famous
Mannenberg anthem was eventually played, it was truly a magical moment.
The classic, which got a standing ovation, was given a bit of up-tempo, with Masekela’s finger doing magic on the trumpet and Gwangwa’s doing wizardry on trombone. Masekela’s rendition of Stimela saw a lot of dancing inside the venue.
The only thing missing from the set was an interpretation of Gwangwa’s solos, leading credence to the fact that the concert was originally billed to feature Masekela and Ibrahim, with Gwangwa only added later.