Afro Jazz Tour moves south

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Wednesday November 5, 2008 00:00

 

The Recreational Park in Molapowabong will be the venue for the next show the following day.  

The tour features South African jazz songbird Sonti Ndebele and local Afro jazz singers Banjo Mosele, Malombo Mmereki, and folklore singer Stampore. 

One of the objectives of the tour is to launch the artistes' recently released albums. This will be Mosele, Mmereki and Stampore's second show at the Botswana Marketing Craft courtyard this year. In May, they entertained guests during the annual Letlhafula Day celebrations at the same venue. 

The three artistes also compliment one another.   For instance, Mosele has featured songs by Stampore on his previous albums. 

Mosele is based in Norway but he has not forgotten about his roots as he has always worked with local musicians.  Though he might be based in Europe, one thing is certain: culture runs deep in his blood.  And when he speaks, Mosele uses that deep Setswana language often associated with his people, Bangwaketsi.   He would always greet you saying 'a o rre he?' 

Even on his latest album, Nowadays, he features local artistes like Mmereki.  In his album, Ga ke robale, Mmereki collaborated with Mosele. 

Stampore has also released a new album.  Mosele has reciprocated by including Stampore on his programmes whenever he returns to Botswana.  During his last visit here, he organised shows for him at Satchmo's Jazz Cafe.  They also organised cultural evenings at the same joint.   When Stampore is down, it is only Mosele who comes to his rescue.

Mosele's track Ntsa e jele ntsanyana has become a hit even on the airwaves and local jazz joints like Satchmo's.  In this song, he sings about life's challenges.  You should watch the song's DVD, to see how the guys are sweating it out.  The video portrays the traditional Setswana set up.  The song reveals how a family is trapped in endless debts.

Radio Botswana personality, Kesaobaka 'KK' Keoreng, features in his video.  KK is a musician at heart and you should watch him on the dancing floor, especially if it is a jazz show. You could enjoy both Mosele and Mmereki doing the track ntsa e jele  ntsanyana, together. 

Mosele jetted into the country last month to promote his album.
Mmereki's album, on the other hand, reminds you of his days when he was still with the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) band.  Mmereki was the band's front man.  The BDF band was one of the first groups in the country to release albums.

Mmereki is one of the country's veteran musos.  He played for some of the country's defunct  bands.  His album is one of the important music projects that he has come up with since he retired from the army.

The South African artiste, Ndebele, has released  her second album titled 'finally'.  Her debut  album is 'always Sonti'.

Stampore on the other hand, has come up with 'Re Batswana'.  Stampore has held the fort when so many folklore singers are fading.  Many of them could not survive the dog eat dog music industry.

Meanwhile, the promoter of the tour, Soares Katumbela of Street Horn Promotions, said their Francistown show was the most successful.  The artistes staged at Thapama Lodge on Saturday.

Katumbela said even the attendance was impressive, adding that the Francistowners are starved of entertainment.    He said there was a demand that the same artistes should come for another show next month.

Katumbela said even the artistes themsel ves gave an exhilarating performance.   He said it was Stampore's first show in Francistown and people admired his music.  His CDs sold well at the festival.

Katumbela said they were busy preparing for the weekend show.

Speaking in an interview, Ndebele said she  once performed in Francistown with Hugh Masekela and Kalahari band in the 80s.  She said it was amazing to play in Francistown again after such a long time, adding that they had a wonderful show.

Ndebele saw some of the people that she met when she performed more than 20 years  ago and it was a memorable reunion for her.   She said there was also a high demand for their music in Francistown.   Some Francistown hotels wanted to book them for more shows.

Ndebele said she is looking forward to her weekend show in Gaborone.  Unlike in Francistown, she had staged shows in Gaborone on several occasions.  Botswana is almost her second home because she stayed here during her years in exile.  Botswana was her first destination when she sought asylum as she left the then apartheid South Africa in 1976.  Like other hundreds of other youths, Ndebele fled after the June 16 riots that erupted in Soweto.