Doc MacLean releases dates for biggest blues tour in SA
CONTEMPORARY delta blues musician and master guitarist Doc MacLean returns to South Africa for his fifth African tour.
MacLean’s Streamline Blues South African Tour kicked off this past weekend at the Alma Café in the Mother City.
Next stop is Die Boer Theatre, Durbanville, tomorrow, then Daisy Jones Bar, Stellenbosch on Friday.
Travelling over 20 000km by land, the World’s Biggest Little Blues Tour will include some 60 shows across South Africa.
The tour will feature occasional, pop-up collaborations with wellknown South African blues, roots and traditional artists.
During his tour, MacLean will offer free workshops for aspiring young artists.
His latest body of work, Streamline, was recorded in Cape Town, MacLean’s home-away-from-home.
In a previous conversation with IOL, MacLean expressed his love for South Africa, its people, the music, the food and the talent, which inspires him as a musician.
“The bar is set high for the arts here. South African writers have got to provide content in their work. Everybody’s got a story and they wear it on their sleeve,” MacLean said.
“I’m a storyteller. I do everything from theatre shows to the little workshops in the townships, to mentoring South African musicians on how to do business.
“I guess part of why I keep coming here is that I’ve really experienced the big hug, South Africa,” said the star.
MacLean occasionally features local artists, including Tim Parr, Albert Frost, Marcia Moon and Bill Knight.
He also worked with closely with Steve Fataar, the legendary guitarist who passed away in 2020. Fataar was a member of the popular 1960s group “The Flames”.
MacLean has performed in several events in Mzansi, including Oppikoppi, Up the Creek, the Knysna Blues Festival, Durban Mojo Rising Blues Cruise, and the JHB Blues and Country Festival.
For full tour dates and details go to iol.co.za.