HUGH MASEKELA BRINGS JAZZ TO THE LAKESIDE

Old Mutual’s Concert series has delivered something quite spectacular this year, with SA’s hottest, most talked-about artists performing to captivated crowds in gardens across the country.

How do they top that? By bringing the biggest name in South African jazz, Hugh Masekela, to the Lake in Durban on Sunday 30 September.

Bra Hugh needs no introduction. His successes as a musician speak for themselves. He has worked with some of the biggest names in the business, and perfomed in some of the most prestigious venues across the globe.

Hugh Masekela

Decades after he first burst onto the jazz scene, Hugh Masekela continues to explore new musical adventures, keeping him a creative icon and an inexhaustible talent. His career has been one that South African musicians dream of, and he was recently the artist of choice to grace the first cover of Rolling Stone South Africa.

Part of this songwriter, lyricist, trumpeter, producer and arranger’s drive is a deep responsibility towards how the continent he loves is seen.

“My biggest obsession is to show Africans and the world who the people of Africa really are,” Masekela confides. It’s this commitment to his homeland that makes him one of the continent’s most beloved sons.

Opening act and multi award-winner Swazi Dlamini is all set to thrill fans with the soulful, soothing sounds from her latest album. One of the leading ladies of South African music, Swazi promises her legion of fans an engaging performance of spiritual and inspirational music.

Outdoor jazz venues are incredibly popular in South Africa, and the introduction of a full jazz day at the Botanic Gardens that will appeal to young and old is undoubtedly a step in the right direction and is sure to play a major role in the growth of the Old Mutual Music at the Lake series.

The Botanic Gardens have already presented live concerts of some of the most talented and accomplished musicians in South Africa. Old Mutual’s continued association with the Botanic Gardens allows them to ensure that funds are raised to maintain and improve biodiversity at this important public space.

Proceeds from the performances go towards an innovative people and plant development programme, the Garden Window Project, within the Durban Botanic Gardens and the Wildlands Conservation Trust’s Trees for Life initiative which sees community members growing trees to support their livelihoods.

For more information about this and other events at the Durban Botanic Gardens, visit the website – www.durbanbotanicgardens.org.za or call the Info Centre 031 322 4021.

Tickets are available online at www.webtickets.co.za
Tickets prices:  R100 online, or at the gate for R150 on the day
Kids between 8-12 pay R50, kids under eight are free.  All children are welcome at the KidZone for some extra fun and games.
Drinks, cooler boxes and picnic baskets are welcome

Gates open at 13:00 for pre-sold tickets, 13:30 for on the day tickets. First act starts at 14:30.

Secure parking is available on the Juventus ground.  Entrance to all parking is off lower John Zikhale (Sydenham) Road, adjacent to the Botanic Gardens and the Munies Hockey Field also off lower John Zikhale (Sydenham) Road.

Follow @OM_Concerts and @dbnbotgardens on Twitter for all the action on the day, and ‘Like’ the Old Mutual Music in the Gardens page on Facebook for all the updates and info.