Lowveld music scene through the eyes of seasoned musicians

Born in Maputo, but having grown up in the Lowveld, Jaime Negrao has become a well-known face in the Lowveld, and so have his band members.

Lowvelder got a hold of Negrao and Neil Fishwick to find out how they have experienced the local music scene over the years and how it has evolved.

Now aged 57 and 63 respectively, the two’s love of music has been cultivated from a young age.

Both of their first gigs were school-related; Fishwick was the drummer at a 12-hour-long dance marathon and Negrao was part of the band Pariah Dogs at a school party.

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“It was not a paid gig, just a school party, but I have really fond memories of it,” said Negrao. “The Lowveld music scene really has had its ups and downs. In general, it has always been a struggle, especially for bands that don’t play mainstream or commercial music. In the past there was never a big culture for live music, but fortunately over the years it has really improved. Right now, if we gauge it by the number of gigs we are doing, it seems to have reached a healthy place.”

Fishwick said in the past there were many more bands around with a friendlier camaraderie among them.

Fishwick and Negrao’s paths crossed for the first time when they played together in the band Gibraltar in the early 2000s.  Negrao said this band lasted for 23 years and included some of the best years in music for him.

You might have come across them in their current form, the band Soul Taxi, formed in 2018. Its members include Negrao (vocals and guitar), Fishwick (percussion and harp), Al Loxton (bass) and Wynand van Staden (drums). They have graced venues like Carma Café, Picasso’s and Bohemian Groove Café, to name a few.

Negrao described Soul Taxi as having been a total blast thus far. The band plays anything from rock and blues to Latin jazz.

“Soul Taxi has given me a chance to play all the music I love and express myself musically; definitely the most fun I have ever had playing music.

“We have probably reached a level of maturity in music, so the guys in the band and myself enjoy every moment we share making music together.”

While Fishwick’s favourites have always been rock and blues, Negrao said he does not have a particular preference at all. “I was fortunate to be exposed to all kinds of good music and I was taught from a young age to appreciate all of them.”
Fishwick mentioned, though, that some people might be surprised to hear that he does enjoy a bit of country and light classical music as well.

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He said his most memorable gig had to be a pop festival in Vosloosrus in 1975, where the band were the only “whiteys” present.
Throughout his career there have been many local big names he has had the privilege of meeting. Negrao mentioned a specific few who have crossed his path. “Apart from sharing the stage with SA music greats such as Larry Amos, Jethro Buto and Dan Patlansky, I have recorded with Ray Phiri and Sam Ndlovu, both from Stimela.”

Although music is undoubtedly a passion for these men, they do have day jobs as well. Negrao is in IT while Fishwick is a horticulturalist – an expert in garden cultivation and management.

What keeps him in the industry is a simple love of music, said Negrao. “I never wanted to be a pop star at all, just a musician, so I guess it has to be the passion and love of music and being able to share it with others that has kept me going. On any given day, a certain song might make a difference to someone’s life, and that’s good enough for me.”

For Fishwick it is also the love of music, and all that comes with it, “like … girls.”

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