Legendary music venue, Bassline, is closed, but not dead

Did you know that The Bassline, the home of South African jazz, has officially closed its doors?

The Bassline was a venue known for its historical significance and contribution to the music world by way of introducing new, unheard of and sometimes edgy music to the people of the city and opinion leaders of the music world.

The venue was opened in 1994 and was previously situated in Melville, during the time when Brenda Fassie, Tumi and the Volume and Vusi Mahlasela made their names as jazz and afro musicians by performing there.

Nine years later the original Bassline was closed and re-opened in 2004 in Newtown. It hosted thousands of music lovers and performers until the end of its illustrious run at the forefront of music.

The venue is closed but Bassline Live is now an events company which is still hosting events at various venues across Johannesburg.

This year the annual Africa Day celebrations will be held at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg South – an event that Brad Holmes, founder of The Bassline, has been passionate about for more than 12 years.

“The main reason for holding this concert every year is because we’re just so passionate about African music,” said Holmes.

His reason for closing the venue was the current economy and its relation to the music industry. He explained that the public finds more value in seeing 10 acts at a music festival, as opposed to the two or three acts that perform on one night at The Bassline.

What has taken the place of the beloved home of jazz? A new music spot called Groove Live.

Hopefully, Johannesburg and the rest of the country is as keen to find out more about the new space as we are.

Read: Joburg’s Stanley Beer Yard has your weekly jazz fix

City Buzz will be exploring the new venue, so keep an eye out on the City Buzz Facebook page to find out more about Groove Live.