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The Cape Town jazz band Babu, with its diverse influences, sounds and instruments, will be in Johannesburg for three concerts.
AN unusual sound will blow through Joburg when Babu brings its Indian infused jazz to the city for three concerts.
"Babu's sound and energy recalls and pays tribute to legends of jazz like John Coltrane, Miles Davis, John Mclaughlin and Joe Zawinul, who were searching and looking towards other cultures for inspiration. The music also uses some of the techniques of Indian classical music," says Marie Wilcox, the band manager.
Babu is performing at Espresso Jazz Cafe
"People have often complimented the way the band has fun with the music and the synergy that exists between the musicians. This seems to really invite the listener to join the musical journey."
The band includes guitar maestro Reza Khota, a familiar performer on the Joburg scene. The Cape Town-based outfit was conceptualised in 2006 when band members Khota and Kesivan Naidoo were invited by the Indian High Commissioner in South Africa to perform for India's Independence Day celebrations in Pretoria.
"We were asked to put something together which reflects our Indian heritage," explains Naidoo. What they did at that performance got a great reception. With this audience response and the synergy between the band members, Babu began composing and performing widely around Cape Town.
Babu is an Indian word used to show respect to men, and was chosen as the band's name as the four members believe that respect is the binding force that brings them together.
The band was nominated for a South African Music Award in May; the Samas, as they are known, are awarded each year to celebrate the best South African musicians in all genres.
In March, Babu had a successful tour of South Africa, playing at major centres and holding workshops at various universities, such as the University of the Witwatersrand in Joburg and the University of Potchefstroom, among others. Then, in July, it was given a standing ovation at the Standard Bank Jazz Festival in Grahamstown, with Naidoo featured as the Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year for jazz. It also performed in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya this year.
Training
"Besides being highly active in the music industry in different ensembles and initiatives, each member has honed their skills through rigorous musical training. Kesivan and Shane [Cooper] are some of the most sought-after jazz musicians to emerge from the University of Cape Town's jazz programme and have travelled and worked with great musicians around the world," says Wilcox.
Khota, on guitar, holds a bachelor of music degree with a distinction in performance, a performer's certificate with distinction from Trinity College of Music in London and a masters degree with distinction from Wits. He has won several awards from the South African Music Rights Organisation (Samro), bursaries and merit awards. In 1998, he won the National Classical Guitar Competition.
A Joburger by birth, Khota was introduced to the guitar in his childhood by his father. His teachers, renowned musicians like Jeremy Karodia and Faizel Boorany, fired his enthusiasm for experimental jazz, classical avant-garde and progressive guitar music.
Naidoo, the percussionist, is tours frequently and has performed in several foreign countries. He got a first-class bachelor of music honours degree in performance and composition in 2002.
Born in East London, he started playing drums at the age of 10. He made his professional debut in 1994 and was a member of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra for three years in 1995, 1999 and 2000. He was the first South African to perform with the Kennedy Centre Jazz Ambassadors during its South African tour in 1998.
Cooper, the bass player, started playing jazz and funk professionally at 16 with The Raw Materials. A few years later he developed an interest in the double bass and taught himself to play the instrument. Also from Eastern Cape, he was born in Port Elizabeth, and graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2008 with a degree in jazz performance.
Ronan Skillen, the tabla and didgeridoo player, says his major musical influence is Shakti anf Trilok Gurtu. He is the designer of a hybrid percussion kit, a fusion of the percussion and didgeridoo, one of the world's oldest trumpet-like instruments. His musical career has evolved through all genres of music and now focuses on jazz and world music.
Skillen was born in Northern Ireland, although his musical career started at age 10 in Germany, where he played the French horn in three orchestras. He was introduced to the didgeridoo by a Ghanaian master drummer, Emmanuel Gomado.
After much self-teaching and musical travels he settled in Cape Town and began playing the Indian tabla in 2002.
New material
Commenting on their Joburg performances, Wilcox says: "Babu will be playing a mixture of old and new material. The new material reflects the continuous searching and innovation in the band. While the earlier material was focused largely around a single tonality, the new material introduces more harmonic progression. Babu is also developing its sense of groove and the new material will allow the listener to really experience this."
Catch the band now. In 2010, Wilcox says, Babu will be undertaking a Mmino-sponsored tour of Southern African Development Community countries. Mmino, which means music in Tswana, is a South African-Norwegian music education and exchange programme. "The dates are still being finalised but the band plans to visit Mozambique, Swaziland, Botswana, Madagascar and Mauritius. Babu plans to perform in India in August."
Babu will be in Joburg for three concerts this week. Performances are at Espresso Jazz Café, Fourth Avenue in Linden, on 26 and 27 November at 8pm. Tickets are R50 each. For more information, phone 011 888 6212. The third concert is at The Basement, 100 Christian de Wet Avenue, Florida Park on 28 November, again at 8pm. Tickets for this concert are R75 each. For more information, contact 011 674 1358.
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