All-girl band jazzes up romance

 

ADD the smoothest of jazz, a unique musical force and a special prawn and cashew curry and you’ll have a winner of a St Valentine’s Day celebration this year.

Umzumbe’s The Rock Music Bistro is thrilled to announce that the hugely successful all-girl jazz group ‘Heels Over Head’ will entertain guests at a special St Valentine’s lunch, as part of the weekend celebration of love, at the bistro on Sunday, February 15, from 1pm.

As well as the fabulous music a delicious prawn and cashew curry and a tasty malva pudding will be added to the usual bistro menu. Entry is free but the hat will be passed around. Booking is essential – and is already filling up fast. Contact Shirley at 072 1415621.

‘Heels over Head’ hails from Durban and members say it is a mutual love of jazz that wove them together about six years ago when they first formed the group.

Since then they are always busy composing, rehearsing and recording new music, not top mention performing at venues throughout KwaZulu-Natal and the rest of the country. They play music that varies from smooth jazz or easy-breezy pop jazz and they have developed a notable and clever signature sound that consists of current African-influenced music and uniquely re-arranged standards.

They are known for getting audiences up and dancing to their irresistible rhythmic bass lines and their cheerful melodies. Add to this their sparkling stage presence, together with their classy style and you have an instant hit.

Everyone remarks on the charm and charisma of lead vocalists Thulile Zama and Nomkhosi Mazibuko. They are joined by skilled drummer Rebekah Pillay and accomplished pianist Mandy Cobbing. Last but not least is smoking hot guitarist Chillie Stent and the flaming fusion of musicians is complete.

The jazz musicians have clocked up some impressive career highlights, winning the Yamaha Young Talent Award 2010 with their debut album, ‘Could It Be’. The band was nominated for MTN SAMA Awards in the Contemporary Jazz category in 2011and 2013.

While they have played at almost all the major Durban venues and at the Hazelmere Jazz Festival they are making their mark further afield, in Gauteng, Cape Town, the Drakensberg and even Swaziland. They have shared stages with Abdullah Ibrahim, Hugh Masekela, Sbongile Khumalo, Busi Mhlongo, RJ Benjamin, Ringo Madlingozi and dub poet Linton Kwezi Johns.

Recently they featured with various bands and ensembles in local television programmes and are enjoying plenty of attention by the media, including local newspapers and radio stations.