His voice might be his calling card, but Vusi Mahlasela’s greatest gift is his uncanny ability to cut across geographical, cultural and generational musical divides.
Something of a musical Mandela in this regard, his multilingual messages of truth and reconciliation and his trademark blend of mbaqanga, jazz folk and blues speak of a borderless universe and consciousness. It is this message that the man affectionately known as ‘the voice” shares when he performs in Grabouw this weekend. Afrikaans songstress Karen Zoid will join him.
Paul Cluver Amphitheatre, N2 Kromco turnoff, Farm 102, Paul Cluver Wines, Grabouw, March 10, at 7pm. Entrance is R250. Tel: 021 8440605. Website: cluver.com. Book at Computicket.
? Much like Miles Davis, South African trumpeter Marcus Wyatt has earned a reputation for his ability to blow hot and cool. In his South African Music Awards-nominated album, Language 12, he continues the dialogue Miles began in the 1970s between jazz and the then emergent electronically enhanced musical forms. For Wyatt, this means threading the loop-based ideas of drum and bass, hip-hop, R&B and house through free improvisation.
Oude Libertas Amphitheatre, Adam Tas & Oude Libertas roads, Stellenbosch. March 11 at 6:30pm. R120 to R140. Tel: 021 809 7473.