Artists United Against the Abuse of Women and Children
Venue: The State Theatre Drama
Date: Today till Saturday
Pretoria is a city known for its love of jazz so it was disappointing to see the Drama half-full with people who had come to see Ladies in Jazz in concert with Thandiswa Mazwai. Usually it would have been fully packed. Nevertheless, the show turned out to be a party and the Ladies In Jazz ensemble started it.
The Ladies have such an easy-going vibe and a sensual presence about them that it helped put the crowd in the mood.
It is always fascinating to watch them at play, helping each other with their musical instruments. At some point the pianist would leave her seat to be on percussion and the lead vocalist would be banging on the tambourine if she wasn't singing.
It was clear that they are a hit with the locals as some of them stood up and sang along, word for word to their favourite tunes.
But Thandiswa took the performance to another level. She did not look like the star she is when she got on stage, but rather like a Xhosa woman in authority of her craft, holding a beaded stick in her right hand. Her |intro was an ode to the ancestors and it really felt like they were being awoken in that theatre.
From there she tore the house down with songs from her award-winning album, Zabalaza. She left the crowd wanting more.
The Ladies in Jazz ends this week. Tomorrow night the performance is with Simphiwe Dana. On Friday they will feature Ringo and McCoy Mrubata and in their final show on Saturday night they will feature Judith Sephuma. The shows start at 8pm and tickets are R140 and R100.