UCSD presents Johnny Clegg and Savuka, Zulu music ensemble on October 1

September 13, 1990

Contact: Ruth Bally, University Events, 534-4090 or Alixandra Williams, University Communications, 534-3120

UNIVERSITY EVENTS PRESENTS ZULU MUSIC ENSEMBLE ON OCT. 1

Johnny Clegg and Savuka, a South African music ensemble, will perform at the University of California, San Diego at 8 p.m. Oct. 1, in the Price Center Ballroom.

Their music has its roots in Zulu rhythms, melded with EuroAmerican jazz. Formed in 1986, the ensemble has sold more than two million albums in South Africa, including the number one hit, "Asimbononga," and "Scatterlings of Africa," which appeared on the sound track of the movie, "Rain Man."

The ensemble's popularity in Europe has led it to appearances in North America, including network television exposure on the Arsenio Hall Show, the Today Show, the Tonight Show, and Saturday Night Live.

Clegg has worked with two of the groups musicians, percussionist Dudu Zulu and drummer Derek De Beer, since 1979, when they were members of another very popular South African band, Juluka.

Clegg and Savuka (Zulu for "we have arisen") have released two albums, "Third World Child" and "Shadow Man," and have toured extensively, appearing at the famed Montreux Jazz Festival, opening for David Bowie in France, fronting for Earth, Wind and Fire in Germany, and appearing in North America with Steve Winwood.

Clegg and Savuka also appeared in the Amnesty International Human Rights' "NOW!" tour, in Abidjan on the Ivory Coast, with Bruce Springsteen, Sting and Tracy Chapman.

Michael Lerner of Newsweek says, "Long before Paul Simon ever dreamed of fusing South African music with Western pop on his blockbuster "Graceland" album, Clegg--who was a university lecturer on socio-anthropology in South Africa and who speaks fluent Zulu--was hard at work doing just that. The result is an innovative, energetic mix of African mbaqanga, pop and rock."

Tickets are $18 general admission (advance sales), and $19 general admission on the day of the show.

(September 13, 1990)