Mail & Guardian reporter
From the early Eighties Fra Fra’s sound has wowed audiences across the world and they arrive in South Africa in September for a tour.
This leading Afro-Caribbean band have their roots in the Netherlands, Surinam, the Antilles and Africa and have established themselves as a leading jazz band.
The Surinamese phrase “fra fra” roughly translated means balance, and emphasises the band’s constant search for balance between a wide range of musical and cultural influences from Africa, Europe and the Americas. Their catchy and unusual sounds pay tribute to their music, which has enabled them to perform at some of the world’s most prestigious jazz festivals, including the North Sea Jazz Festival, Arts Alive International Festival and the Texaco New York Jazz Festival.
The band have an innovative approach to jazz and have achieved a natural cohesion between these various influences, creating their own style. The Afro-Caribbean jazz that clearly defines their brand of music has its roots in a variety of cultures proving that jazz music is indigenous to the “global village”. Their catchy and unusual sound cannot be categorised.
Sponsorship by the Dutch Government and Royal Netherlands Embassy, Pretoria, have made the Fra Fra sound tour possible.
There are only six performances around the country. This is a jazz show that should not be missed. Tour dates are:
l Johannesburg: Friday August 31 and Saturday September 1 at the Market Theatre, where they will perform as part of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival. The show starts at 8.30pm and tickets are R80 and are available at Computicket. Market Theatre (011) 832 1641.
l Durban: Wednesday September 5 at the Upstage Jazz Caf at the Playhouse centre. The show starts at 8.30pm and tickets are R30 and can be booked on (031) 369 9566/ 304 9820.
l Cape Town: Friday and Saturday September 7 and 8 at the Green Dolphin at the Waterfront. Tickets are R30 and are available at the venue or by calling (021) 421 7471. The show starts at 8pm.
l On Sunday September 9 they perform at the Jazz on the Lake concert at Zoo Lake as part of the Arts Alive Festival.