Love: The energy that keeps Cito going
JOBURG - Wonderboom frontman and showman extraordinaire Cito will take to the stage as one of love's troubadours.
The gentleman rock star spoke to City Buzz about life, love, and My Big Band Valentine, on for one night only at Gold Reef City’s Lyric Theatre on 14 February.
Cito, along with fellow vocalists Timothy Moloi, Naz Holland and the 17-piece Johannesburg Big Band, will treat the audience to classic big band renditions of hits like I’ve got you under my skin, Quando quando quando, and Fever, in a show that follows hot on the heels of Swingin’ Christmas.
Cito said he was surprised by the response to Swingin’ Christmas.
“I believe the audiences… were completely blown away by the sound and the level of skill the band come with. Friends… were raving for days about how beautiful the [band] sounded,” he said.
“There’s something quite magical about having 17 musicians of that calibre, performing in synchronicity, harmony and subtle dynamics, that you just can’t compare to anything else.”
Cito described such high-level musicianship, combined with a nostalgic sound and serious attitude, as “very rock and roll”.
“We’re onto something with the [band]. I feel audiences deserve to have world-class entertainment right here… As a vocalist, there’s nothing better than singing when you have such an incredible band performing right beside you.”
Getting to the meat of the Valentine’s Day performance, Cito said he thought ‘love’ as much a relative concept as ‘peace’.
“Everybody feels it, one way or another, on different levels,” he said.
“Love is the energy that keeps me going. Love is what I feel and express. Sometimes it hurts, but most of the time, love makes me want to get up in the morning and live my life.”
Cito isn’t only excited about singing with the lauded Johannesburg Big Band this Valentine’s Day, however. One of the songs he will sing has a place in Cito’s own love story.
“I’m really looking forward to performing My funny valentine. I love that song more than anything. I performed it at my wedding ceremony as my wife walked down the ‘isle’, which was actually a beach,” he said.
Details: 011 248 5000; www.computicket.com; www.goldreefcity.co.za
