Edenvale blues performer collaborates to deliver smoking-hot entertainment
Edenvale musician blends blues, maskandi and pantsula dance in cultural performance
The audience at Golden Acres, Sandringham, enjoyed Joyful Entertainment With Diversity (JEWD) on December 15, produced by Desiree Levin.
The event featured a multi-talented line-up, including Alexandra Main Boys and Edenvale resident Smoke J Lawrence.
Born in KwaZulu-Natal, Smoke J Lawrence learned to play guitar at the age of four, taught by his father.
While music was a passion, football was his first love, and he pursued a football career from the age of 15.
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In 2014, a fire in Port Shepstone destroyed his business and belongings, prompting a move to Edenvale.
Unable to find employment, he started a tuckshop at the local public swimming pool.
In 2016, Smoke returned to music, playing guitar privately at first. He discovered he earned more performing vocally, developing a sound rooted in traditional blues, call-and-response songs, and African musical elements.
“As a KZN-born musician, I include maskandi influences in some of my songs. We introduce blues to younger audiences through dance and storytelling,” he explained.
The Train symbol represents the journey of life through blues, the people met along the way, and memories created. Smoke described his performance with the Alexandra Main Boys as a highlight, praising their talent and Desiree Levin’s guidance in interpreting his blues songs Ride the Train and Bluesmanbaby with pantsula dance elements.
He noted that while he has collaborated with traditional Zulu dancers before, combining pantsula with blues was a first.
Smoke shared the stage with Ian on acoustic guitar and Monty Traub on piano.
Other performers included Komani Hara, Mark Lederman, Sanele Moyakhe and Pretty Ngcobo.
The Smoke Train Blues Movement SA serves as a platform for cultural exchange, collaboration, mentoring, and preserving the blues, working with local and international artists.
“We thank everyone who rides the Smoke Train with us and the venues that provide a platform for our music. Wishing everyone a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year,” Smoke said.
