Language 12 to bedazzle crowd

PORT Elizabeth-born Marcus Wyatt and his collective, Language 12, are coming to Nelson Mandela Bay for a performance of their second album Maji Maji in the Land of Milk and Honey at the Music Kitchen in Newton Parkon Wednesday .

The former Old Grey High School pupil and his collective are on their nationwide tour and plan to share with PE audiences their own approach to South African jazz.

Wyatt said their music defied and crossed several genres and sometimes audiences were left perplexed, trying to identify what they had just heard.

“Even if you’re a fan of hip-hop, r’nb or jazz, there is something for you. Our sound is for people who love music and is very different from what you’ll hear playing elsewhere.

“We move to a more groove based concept, with contemporary loop-based ideas and soundscapes interspersed with unique live improvisations,” Wyatt said.

Maji Maji is Language 12’s second album and the group released it in October last year. But, because of different projects the members were working on, they have only just started touring together to promote the album.

Language 12 consists of Wyatt (trumpet), fellow former Eastern Cape musician Romy Brauteseth (bass), Siya Makuzeni (vocals), Melissa van der Spuy (keys), Justin Badenhorst (drums) and Fried Wilsenbach, who does sound design.

“We’re individually involved in different projects so we come together to record and when touring, which is why it’s taken this long for us to tour for Maji,” he said.

Language 12 moves with complete freedom, sometimes with stealth, sometimes raw power but always with relentless invention and have impressive list of appearances including a successful four-city tour of India – the highlight being two performances at the famous Blue Frog club in Mumbai.

The project has performed in Sweden, France, Switzerland, Mozambique, Angola and all around South Africa including the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

Besides playing at the Music Kitchen, Language 12 will perform and present a workshop at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s Music Department at its South Campus on Tuesday at 1pm. Entry is free.

Tickets for the Music Kitchen concert on Wednesday can be bought at the door at R100 and the performance starts at 8pm.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/TheMusicKitchen or call (041)-364-1964.

They are also performing at the Stirling High School music centre and auditorium in East London on Friday at 8pm.