THE WESTERN CAPE LEGENDS MURAL PROJECT

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) and the Artscape Theatre Centre has joined forces to pay homage to living and deceased jazz legends of the Western Cape. To this end, DCAS has called for nominations from the general public for individuals or groups to be honoured in a mural in the tunnel at the Artscape Theatre Complex.

The criteria for nominees included being at least 55 years old, representative of the demographics of the province and having had an active involvement in the music industry over the past 30-40 years. Additional requirements were that they must have released at least one album, contributed greatly towards the growth of the music industry in the province and achieved local, national and international recognition, as well as having initiated mentorship programmes for the development of young people into professional musicians The process commenced during October 2010, with a deadline in November 2010.

Curator and visual artist Garth Erasmus and an independent panel were appointed to research the identified legends and paint the mural. The panel included well-known musician and drummer, Frank Paco, as well as Rashid Lombard (CEO of ESP Afrika), Marlene le Roux (Director at Artscape Theatre: Audience Development & Education), Sticks Mdidimba (Manager in the Indigenous Arts Team at Artscape Theatre) and Eric Alan (Radio DJ at Radio 2000).

The list of nominees of both the deceased and living legends bore strong testament to the fact that music and arts cut across all cultures, religions and age groups. There were many similarities between these two lists. At different times, they had to cope with scarce performance opportunities both in the Western Cape and in South Africa because of the former political régime, which saw some of them seeking greener pastures overseas or in neighbouring countries, while others purposely stayed behind to experience the transformation from victims to victors. The lives and careers of some of them were shaped by difficult circumstances, which made it important to have an accurate record and reflection of the immense contribution they had made in the Western Cape, South Africa and even internationally. .

As one veteran Cape musician once remarked; Cape musicians always had a certain sophistication about them that set them apart from other musicians. This feature dated back to the early years of brass bands, progressing to concert and dance, until the emergence of jazz bands in the 1940s and 1950s. The nominees were a true representation of the demographics of the Western Cape and people from all walks of life would be able to identify with them and their achievements. They were representative of the story of jazz in our province - a story that is not located and trapped in the past, but is constantly evolving and, through innovation, on an upward curve. Hence the fact that the mural depicts not only the deceased legends but also those that are still alive and continue to reach the greatest heights of innovation in this art form.

Apart from books that have been dedicated to documenting their life stories, achievements and contributions, this mural will be a unique way to present them in a lasting manner. It will inspire many up-and-coming musicians to reach the heights of success notwithstanding life’s challenges. Once again DCAS successfully managed to bring people together

The visual artist, Garth Erasmus, who obtained his tertiary education at Rhodes University, has already started nailing his colours to the mast in the tunnel and can hardly hide his excitement at being part of this history-making project. He originates from the Eastern Cape but has been staying in since the early 80s. During this period he was deeply involved with community art networks, which saw him becoming one of the founding artists of the Greamore Studios in Woodstock. He has worked on and presented a number of exhibitions. Not only is he an artist but he is also a musician in a band called the Khoi Khonnexion.

WESTERN CAPE JAZZ LEGENDS

DECEASED LEGENDS LIVING LEGENDS Richard Schilder Piano Piano Tony Schilder Piano Ian Smith Trumpet Winston Mankunku Saxophone Alvin dyers Robbie Jansen Saxophone Guitar Donald Tshomela Vocalist Spencer Mbadu Bass Guitar Christopher Columbus Ngcukana Saxophone Sathima Benjamin Vocalist Ezra Ngcukana Saxophone Cliffy Moses Guitar Dougie Schriker Vocalist Cups Nkanuka Saxophone Russell Herman Guitar Duke Ngcukana Trumpet Robert Sithole Penny Whistle George Werner Piano Piano Accordion Monty Webber Drummer Anthony Cedras Trumpet Nick Le roux Saxophone Gilbert Mathews Drummer Piano Basil Manenbrg Coetzee Saxophone Roger Khoza Composer Paul Abrahams Bass Guitar Merton Barrow Saxophone Colin Campbell Piano Gambu Pasiya Piano Max Diamond Drummer Harry Peacock Guitar Jeff Wiener Vocalist Gary Henderiskse Pianist Cecil Ricca Drummer Brian Eagleson Bass Pennywhistle and Trumpet Humor Nthete saxophone John Tshibilikwane Saxophone Hotep Galeta Piano Soyi-Soyi Gcisa Vocalist Harold Japhta Saxophone Zelda Benjamin Vocalist Vincent Kolbe Piano Willie Van Bloemestein Drummer Jimmy Adams Saxophone Sylvia Mdunyelwa Vocalist Tete Mbambisa Piano Victor Ntoni Bass Guitar Mike Campbell Bass Guitar Louis Moholo Drummer Moris Goldberg Saxophone

Enquiries: William Masemola Tel no: (021)483-5964 E-mail: [email protected]