Upfront with Zakes Bantwini is a not-to-be-missed one-night only musical extraordinaire taking place on June 16th at the Soweto Theatre. The Durban-based music mogul announced this week that his first theatre stage performance, in association with Hansa, will pay tribute to the great South African musical story of Sophiatown.
Well-loved for his exceptional talent as an entertainer, Zakes Bantwini will take to the stage, performing Jazz renditions and popular tracks from his current album, Love, Light and Music. The intimate concert experience will showcase his funky house interpretations of old styles with new sounds, acknowledging the past and experimenting with innovative arrangements.
Upfront with Zakes Bantwini will in addition play host to a DVD recording, which will provide longevity to his current album, Love, Light and Music. Due to be released later in the year, both the show and DVD will feature guest appearances by respected musicians in the industry, including Black Coffee and the legendary, Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse.
When asked what can be expected in the performance, Zakes Bantwini replied with one word – fireworks. He added: “Growing up, I was told about the great musical stories of Sophiatown and as a musician; I want to bring this culturally-rich era to life. This was a time in our nation’s history that was brimming with musical talent and where legends were born.”
Music was a central feature that developed in Sophiatown and it has been said that this cultural hub is where the most important indigenous jazz evolved. As a trained jazz musician, it is only fitting that Zakes Bantwini pays homage to this era on June 16th, National Youth Day in South Africa.
Tickets are limited to the Soweto Theatre capacity and can be purchased online (WebTickets.co.za) from R150 each.
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