Nicky Blumenfeld If you’ve ever visited Cuba, Colombia, Mexico or Brazil, you’d realise that there’s a lot more to the Americas than the United States and it appears that with the inevitable influx of aliens, the “developed” world seems to have realised that there’s rhythm beyond its mainstream borders.
Likewise, the recent explosion of Latin sounds in this country is a welcome relief signifying the growing tendency towards a broader global awareness. This year’s Arts Alive festival has refreshingly embraced the Latino trend. For most South Africans, the international lineup features an array of “unknowns” and whether this is pertinent to the exchange rates or the organisers’ courage is irrelevant. We will be treated to a feast of some of the world’s finest performers. The Peruvian diva Susana Baca is possibly the most important living exponent of Afro- Peruvian sounds and culture. Besides being a vocalist of extraordinary capacity, she is dedicated to researching the folklore, roots and instrumentation of her country. Together with her husband, Ricardo Pereira, Baca founded the Instituto NegroContinuo, which teaches and preserves the dance and music of her ancestors, and also encourages younger Peruvians to explore their own voices and visions. Baca has also been instrumental in challenging gender issues and when she began singing about 30 years ago, “women in Peru weren’t supposed to sing on stage; a woman on stage was treated like a prostitute”.
Her passion, however, extends beyond academia and her performance (supported by local folk, Blk Sonshine), promises to be rhythmic, emotive and evocative poise. Brazil is represented by three hot acts, two of which also boast long-time Latin favourites. Known as the “Queen of Samba” or the “Voice of Brazil”, Beth Carvalho’s powerful, smokey voice and joyous performance is guaranteed to charm. Back home she fills soccer stadiums with 100E000 fans and she’s regarded as having turned the street sounds of samba into “a celebration of all that is noble and immortal in the human spirit”. Her double- bill with local gem Busi Mhlongo guarantees a memorable experience. Joyce is the other living treasure. Her repertoire has a distinctly jazzy feel with a sweeter pitch. As a celebrated songwriter, her own compositions are performed alongside impassioned interpretations of well-known Brazilian covers.
Dois de Ouro are a quintet led by Hamilton de Holanda and their traditional chorino music is a real exploration of intense but delicate strings. The mandolin, classical guitar and cavaquinho (small indigenous Brazilian guitar) juxtapose with heated drums and percussion. This show is featured with the acclaimed Puerto Rican percussionist Efrain Toro, who’ll be backed by our own musicians – keyboardist Andrew Lilley, Concord Nkabinde on bass and drummer Barry Van Zyl. Residents in the area will probably be less than pleased that Jazz on the Lake has a distinctly younger feel this season. The masses, however, are sure to appreciate the popular performances of Joe Nina and Lebo Mathosa. For contemporary jazz it’s Selaelo Selota and Judith Sephuma and for hip-hop fusion catch George Sax and Funk 4. If this isn’t enough, there’s also the French-based Michel Portal Jazz Trio and The Eargasm Hip-Hop concert – featuring US “artists and revolutionaries” Dead Prez, alongside homebred talents. The rest of the African continent is represented by the Senegalese Cheikh Lo. As a follower of a Sufi sect, the Baye Fall movement, he sports patchwork clothes and impressive dreads, but his work is by no means reggae. Passionate, Senegalese mbalax rhythms are blended with Cuban grooves and Congolese rumba. It is no surprise that as a recording artist, Youssou N’Dour gave him his first break, recognising this sincere genius. Cheikh Lo has a deeply spiritual vocal expression, and combined with his songwriting abilities, conscious lyrics and unique interpretations this show stands as one of the festival’s highlights. Mega Music will host the big acts, and for a more intimate experience, Kippies Jazz International and the Bassline are where it’s at. Musically it’s a welcome overdose and after South African Music Week and the Joy of Jazz, the selection in question is only a matter of choice.