A well known South African guitarist, percussionist, composer, arranger and band leader, Vusi Mahlasele.

2009/09/12
VUSI MAHLASELA GOT JAZZ LOVERS OUT OF THEIR SEATS AND ON A JOURNEY AT DINALEDI STAGE.

The third and last night of the 10th annual Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival witnessed great performances by a number of world-class jazz artists. Amongst them was a well known South African guitarist, percussionist, composer, arranger and band leader, Vusi Mahlasele.

Mahlasela invited us to travel on a journey with several important stops. He opened the Dinaledi stage with his popular song Silang Mabele – and describes it as a ‘call for unity to fight poverty’. Since a lot of people in the venue knew the song, they started singing along with Vusi as he marvelously performed this tack.

Next up was Khunkhwane, a dedication to his late grand father for he so loved Vusi’s grandmother. So moving was the performance Mahlasela stumbled and fell towards the end of his track with members of the audience ascribing the fall to the spirit (moya). No musical journey is complete without dancing. With Mayibuye and When You come Back, it was on foot tapping, heads bobbing and hip swaying. Vusi’s overall performance on the 2009 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz was great and entertaining.

Issued for:
T-Musicman

Issued by:
Ernest Mulibana

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