Pretoria - Tshwane University of Technology music and arts students were on Friday treated to a performance by the US Air Forces in Europe band.
The once-in-a-lifetime theatre concert at the Arts and Design campus in Arcadia was facilitated by the US Embassy in South Africa, and it saw the air force members, who were in the country for the African Aerospace and Defence 2022, perform with music students, teach them a thing or two, and share a stage with some of them.
The students gathered at the auditorium theatre for the performance by the soldiers who love jazz, and they cheered as the band performed. The students, studying hard for exams said they were grateful to have seen the band live because most were not be able to attend the airshow in the Waterkloof airbase, where the band was performing.
Band members said they did not want to make the concert a typical band and audience event but rather interactive and engaging with the students on jazz music, history and instruments. When they invited students to participate Michael Nkuna leapt onto the stage and played the trumpet with the band, followed by Kekeletso Molefe with his trumpet, and Tebogo Motlotsi who took the drum sticks.
Vocalist Alden Clapper joined and sang for an audience which screamed in appreciation.
They said they appreciated learning and were destined to become flawless musicians like the US band.
Motlotsi said: “This is a moment I will never forget in my life. They were so good and so funny and so professional. I hope to keep improving and growing as an artist.”
Clapper said: “I love to feel inspired. That is why I did not hesitate to get on stage.”
Nkuna and Molefe said their love for music and jazz and live performances was instantly intensified, and senior lecture at the Department of Performing Arts, Dr Roland Moses, said he was excited that the band chose to share their limited time with the students.
“Post Covid-19 this is our first concert with international artists, so we are excited to have artists of this stature. A colleague from Unisa called to check if we could provide performance space for the US band and we were (determined) to make it happen even if it was going to be on Saturday,” said Moses.
Lanie van der Walt, who teaches music technology, said he was proud and eager to assist with the technology and equipment to ensure that the concert went smoothly.
“I find joy in teaching the students, to ensure they understand the technology behind the music, which has played a pivotal role in the transformation of music and music production.”
Band member Major Rafael Toro-Quiñones said they were proud to perform for the students, share knowledge with them and learn about African jazz and melodies.
“It is just as exciting for us to learn something new about other cultures and other music. Yes jazz is an art-form that started in the US but quite frankly it is heavy influenced by what happens in this side of the world.
“I am a US citizen born in Porto Rico and we have a thing called Afro-Cuban music. So your music and your influence is all over our side of the world.”
Pretoria News