IS JY JITS? Live Show

Jitsvinger continues his collaboration with Cape Jazz Maestro and District Six music legend Mervyn Africa, following their Smoortjies & Smoothies live performances at Artscape Theater, through a storytelling, ballad-laced, rap riffed concerto experience at the South African Central for the Netherlands and Flaanders (SASNEV). Blazing the trail of our living musical heritage they fuse musical styles to bridge the generational gap through sound.

Tickets are selling for R100.00 until Monday 25th July 2022
Door price: R150.00

Mervyn Africa:

Leaving his homeland of South Africa in 1981, Mervyn settled in the U.K. searching out work in the bands of fellow exiles such as trumpeter Hugh Masekela, percussionist Julian Bahula and saxophonist Dudu Pukwana. With drummer Brian Abrahams and Russel Herman he was a co-founder of the Afro/jazz group District Six, touring and recording two albums before finally leaving the group in 1987. Subsequently he toured as a pianist with the singer Carmel, contributing compositions and arrangements to her album ‘Set Me Free’. Mervyn Africa has established a strong reputation both as a solo performer and band leader. His quartet as heard on the album ‘Mellow Mayhem’, blends the natural combination of African township music and jazz. In 1990 he composed and performed a concerto commission by the Greater London Arts Council. Africa’s musical talents have extended into composing music for TV documentaries, drama and film. His many collaborations with other artists such as Courtney Pine and David Jean Baptiste has led to a great demand for both his group and solo performances. Africa creates sumptuous piano improvisation and composition drawing from his rich cultural and musical background.He draws on influences ranging from classics or carnival songs through township jazz to a Malay musical musical heritage. His performance style,in which songs or storytelling might enter a concert just as naturally as a host of musical directions,leaves the audience in no doubt about his dynamic, direct approach.

“Lyrically, Jitsvinger does not shy away from the violence of Khoe displacement and erasure or the complexity of identity. But this conscious artist is not without levity. The pendulum swings from the heavy memory of Casspirs to the whimsy of butterflies. The show is unapologetically Kaaps with charismatic stage presence, jas (impressive) instrumentals and immaculate flow. The confluence creates a rustig (effortless) vibe that can escalate into harrowing commentary one minute and then de-escalate to a warmly familiar sound you can jazz to in the kitchen. Smile is my personal favourite Jitsvinger track, and the trio had the audience singing the chorus. Of course, I smaaked (wanted) to jazz to this upbeat nomma, but it wasn’t that kind of party. Another popular fave is Breinsuiker from the EP Jitsologie available for streaming on Spotify. Jitsvinger explains that this sensuous track is about caressing your mind. This sultry binneboud song can be dangerous on rainy nights.” – Mia Arderne

Mervyn and Jitsvinger will be accompanied by Chante Phillips (Drums) Winston Siljeur (Keyboard) and Keegan Steenkamp (Trumpet).

This event is in partnership with SASNEV celebrating ties with the Low Lands for 25th years this year

FREE GLASS OF WINE OR SOFT DRINK I ARRIVAL.
Merchandise on sale during performance!