Madumo stages jazz concert to help revive church’s soul
Legend Gloria Bosman also lined up to perform
Jazz music in Mzansi is one genre that has consistently formed part of the country’s heritage.
From communicating the grievances brought about by the apartheid era – extending messaging through music – to celebrating milestones in our country, jazz can certainly be found at the centre of these mileposts.
Longstanding lady of jazz Nothemba Madumo will use this auspicious genre to raise funds for a good cause by costaging the inaugural Concert in the Garden on Saturday to help raise funds for the All Saints Anglican Church.
The funds will help empower the church’s various operations, including its youth centre division that caters for the youth in and around the area with programmes that will get them off the streets, while acquiring skills and filling their free time with positive activities.
This family-orientated concert will be graced by other celebrated Jazz giants such as Gloria Bosman alongside Bombshelter Beast – the Afrobalkan ensemble consisting of world-renowned vocalists and instrumentalists such as trumpeter, composer and producer Marcus Wyatt, Pule, Dionne Song, Mihi Matshingana, Romy Brauteseth, Sisonke Xonti, Alex Hitzeroth, Janus van der Merwe, Speedy Kobak, Justin Sasman, Etienne Mecloen, Kuba Silkiewicz, Hugo de Waal, Erica Louw and Gavan Eckhart.
“Jazz is democracy in action and is the epitome of freedom. Using the genre for a good cause such as this is exactly what Jazz is anchored upon.
So, together with the church, we want to raise funds that will empower the youth via different programmes; programmes that will empower the youth against unemployment, help them find their identity,” she said.
And with International Jazz Day looming, what better way to celebrate the day than doing something meaningful? asks Madumo.
“With jazz music having its influences come from different places and from different people, it is one genre that unites people. It brings about peace and hope.
“Jazz is an inclusive genre, inclusive of everyone who partakes in the making of music or is part of any performance.
“No-one is above the other but everyone is a star, everyone has the opportunity to express themselves with one vision and in mind within that song. Therefore, it is a genre of freedom.
“These are the values that International Jazz Day wants to celebrate and we want to celebrate as well,” she said.
Madumo, who fell in love with jazz during her teens, thanks to the influence of her father, says the genre has evolved over time to being a more inclusive sound rather than a niche one – especially with the rise of artists such as Zoe Modiga and Nduduzo Makhathini.
The church’s head of marketing, Judith Mugeni, said the concert was another way of bringing people together after Covid kept them separated for such a long time.
“Secondary to that, Covid has had a massive impact on the church’s finances and operations. The church has a big loan to pay off in order for us to operate and be efficient.
“So this concert brings people together but also helps us fundraise so we can go out and give the services that we usually do,” she said.
“Our youth services include a programme dubbed Vibe... where the youth get to share on issues they might be facing.”