Street Horn stages Members' Day concert

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Thursday June 26, 2008 00:00

Katumbela said yesterday that the concert is meant to celebrate with their 800 registered members. He said they will also use the event to brief members on their benefits. 

He said they want to offer their members the opportunity to interact with the artistes Street Horn has either promoted or hosted. 

The groups billed to perform at the concert include Ndingo Johwa, Shanti-Lo, Nono Siile and Brand New Vibe Band while Soares himself will be on the turntables. 

Brand New Vibe Band was formed in 2006 comprising Oral Mokgadi, Vaughan Fourie, Reuben Lekoetje and Gavin Bantom, who was the group leader.

The band was once approached by promoter Zenzele Hirschfield to back Maxy when she went to perform in Japan two years ago.

On their return the band opened the act for the late South African music giant, Jabu Khanyile and his group Bayete.

The band had slight personnel changes with Mokgadi leaving and being replaced by the guitar whiz kid Gomotsegang Rappo.  Khuzwayo took over the lead vocals and was replaced on bass guitar by  Sakhile Nonong.   Vaughan was substituted by Enock Mbewe on drums before Decent Moyo took over.

The band has also performed at Debswana functions in Jwaneng and recorded with Siile.  Some of the group members back Punah Gabasiane as well. 

The versatile band, which has also worked with some gospel artistes like Vusi, and Joel Keitumile, recently featured veteran singer Tsilo Baitsile at the directors' dinner at Gaborone Sun.

Currently the band is backing Shanti Lo at Satchmo's Jazz Cafe on Saturdays.  Last weekend, just before Shanti-Lo went for the second set, Brand New Vibe held the fort for him.  And if you love jazz, you should see Bra Jabu Ndlovu on the dance floor as he did on Saturday night. 

At some stage, he was doing his thing with another jazz enthusiast Jonas 'Jazzy Jay' Moipolai.  And Soares was wondering: 'Where is 'KK?'', referring to the Radio Botswana (RB) journalist  who is renowned for his dancing prowess.

Brand New Vibe caters for all occasions.  But it specialises in fusion jazz. 
Another additional member of the group is Andrew Chinganga, who has been blowing up a storm with the sax. Brand New Vibe Band is one of the groups that you should not miss if you are a genuine jazz enthusiast. Street Horn Promotions also presents a jazz programme on Duma FM every Sunday afternoon.  

Meanwhile, Soares' stable has compiled an album, featuring songs by five South African and seven Botswana Afro jazz artistes.