RHUMBELOW THEATRE
PMB and DBN
Presents
MUSIC FEAST

8 Music Shows over 2 weekends between Durban and Pietermaritzburg. This is going to be 1 musical feast with top Durban Musicians. We have included also in the programme a treat for you from Pretoria. See all details for shows and details below.

Fri     24 April   8.00pm  DBN - More than Nothing--A Latino Journey
Sat    25 April  1.30pm   DBN - The Story of Rockabilly
Sat    25 April  8.00pm   DBN - And Still we “Rise”
Sun   26 April  1.30pm   DBN - Lyra Lounge: ‘Aural Alchemy’
Sun   26 April  6.30pm   DBN - Rowan Stuart - Acoustic & Electric
Mon  27 April  1.30pm   DBN - All That Jazz - We Love to Play - Beat-route
Mon  27 April  6.30pm   DBN - Celebrating Our Jazz Heritage

Fri     01 May   2.00pm    PMB - Behind The Noise
Fri     01 May   8.00pm    PMB - All That Jazz - We Love to Play - Beatroute 
Sat    02 May   2.00pm    PMB - And Still we “Rise” 
Sat    02 May   8.00pm    PMB - Celebrating Our Jazz Heritage
Sun   03 May   2.00pm    PMB - The Story of Rockabilly
Sun   03 May   6.30pm    PMB - Rowan Stuart - Acoustic & Electric

(Venues opens 90 minutes before show for picnic dinner) 

More than Nothing--A Latino Journey

Johann van der Merwe (Percussion), Johnny Casquinha (Guitar / Lead Vocals), John Skuy (Bass Guitar / Vocals), Nicole Couto-Leite (Piano / Vocals), Tony Fisher (Mandolin / Vocals), Richard Ellis (Drum Effects / Vocals),  Graham Ellis (Lead guitar / Guitar effects)  

The magic of this show transports the audience to places where wine is consumed under grape vines while domino & card games are played... the old men of the Buena Vista Social Club reign supreme!

It’s soulful, sexy & sassy, giving people the opportunity to leave their inhibitions at the door, grab a partner or just sit happily tapping their toes – all the old favourites are well known to most people who remember the good old days in Lourenco Marques and LM Radio – and it’s reminiscent of good food, old friends & even better wine.

We take people on a journey of discovery; distant lands, images of bronzed legs twirling in brightly patterned dresses, hearty laughter being shared around an outdoor cafe table and to a place where life is carefree & lived to the fullest.

The Story of Rockabilly

Andy Turrell, Marion Loudon, Jill Murraybrown & Francois Hardy

vocals, stand-up bass slap and heavy snare drum backbeat are still as appealing today as they were in the 50’s.

If you are into old school Rock and Roll, then Mazirlou and the Rockabilly Rebels, Durban’s newest rockabilly band is just for you.

Formed in 2014 by ace guitarist Andy Turrell, it includes the dynamic Marion Loudon on vocals, the talented Jill Murraybrown on Bass Guitar as well as trying her hand on the Upright Bass, and the legendary Francois Hardy on drums and vocals.

Rockabilly music is timeless and has recently seen a massive worldwide revival by a new generation of young musicians who love the rough edged country rock sounds of the 50’s. With Rockabilly’s definitive strong rhythms, vocal twangs and common use of the tape echo, it was popularised by artists like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly, Wanda Jackson, the Everly Brothers, Johnny Horton, Roy Orbison, Eddie Cochran, Bill Haley, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis. 

Bands are made up typically with just guitar, double bass, drums, piano and vocals.  Latter day Rockabilly bands include the Stray Cats, Irish born Imelda May and American Kim Lenz.

Expect to hear all the great rockabilly hits, Train Kept a Rollin, That’s Alright, Rock Around the Clock, Folsom Prison Blues, Be Bop A Lula and Mystery Train. 

Rockabilly goes beyond just the music it’s a lifestyle that allows its followers to start believing they are the stars of the 1950's.  The Rockabilly enthusiasts can be seen attending retro car shows, drive-in movies and burlesque clubs.  The Rockabilly male generally longs for a '59 Cadillac and to play the role of Danny Zuko in the local theatre production of Grease, with great care taken over crafting his magnificent pompadour and mutton chop sideburns.  The rockabilly females are a bizarre hybrid of Betty Crocker and Bettie Page, trying to be part 50's housewife and part pinup model. Much like her significant other, she swears she was born in the wrong era.  The Rockabilly couple are a clear example of what happens when aging punks embrace Johnny Cash rather than Ed Hardy. 

This unique music is far from a "thing of the past." It is alive today more than ever. The same driving guitar licks, frantic vocals, stand-up bass slap and heavy snare drum backbeat are still as appealing today as they were in the 50’s.

And Still we “Rise”

Colin Peddie – DJ, drum pads, keyboard & vocals, Kerry Wood – lead singer,
Simon Hampton – guitars.

Rise has been performing for 7 years.

Rise has entertained at the Durban Botanic Gardens, Mr Price Pro, World cup Rugby launch, Smoking Dragon Festival, Mkuze Cricket tournament, Durban July and many clubs and events around SA.

As the headline band at Smoking Dragon festival in 2013, Rise combined with the talents of Blue Fire dancers using laser and special effects to create a spectacular show.

Rise continues to write new original songs and recently shot their first professional music video for the song ‘Pop Tart’ that can be viewed on Utube or their website www.riseband.co.za.

Lyra Lounge: ‘Aural Alchemy’

Chris Vale and Neil Krog

An afternoon in the company of two consummate performers, Lyra Lounge’s ‘Aural Alchemy’ is a journey through jazz and musicals that mesmerises.

Lyra Lounge, vocal and piano duo, started out with a set of great songs from great songwriters. Adding equal parts love and passion, Chris Vale and Neil Krog have forged a palpable chemistry that borders on alchemy. Both being classically trained, they bring clarity and generosity to jazz standards and musical theatre pieces which have been performed by such greats as Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Fred Astaire and Billie Holliday. Add to this a heady dose of Sondheim, a splash of Porter and a scintilla of Gershwin, the resultant cocktail (garnished with some Groban) is a recipe for an unforgettable experience.

All That Jazz - We Love to Play     

Beat-route : Daniel Sheldon on trumpet / Flugel Horn / Percussion
Gerald Sloan on Guitar and Vocals
Logan Byrne on Upright Bass
Devon Hore on Drums and Percussion
and Featuring special guests Zoe Masuku on Vocals
Mr Tom Hare on Saxes (all of em) / Trumpet / Flugle Horn & Percussion

Beat-Route is one of KZNs busiest and most firmly established Professional swing jazz Act. Their distinctive acoustic sound creates the perfect ambiance for any sophisticated up-market event and their repertoire, which explores the Great Old American Songbook of timeless Jazz standards with some modern excursions and some great originals, will keep your foot tapping and your ear tuned in. Perfect for anything from a small cocktail function with friends or business associates right up to a main feature for a Gatsby style Gala Dinner event with some big band pizzazz and style! Book this professional Act with confidence.

Rowan Stuart - Acoustic & Electric

Rowan Stuart & Andy Turrell 

Durban's acclaimed Alternative Pop artist Rowan Stuart will make his debut performances on the stages of the Rhumbelow Theatres (Durban and Pietermaritzburg), with two performances in April and May.

Alternating between the acoustic and electric guitar, and joined by long-time friend Andy Turrell on bass guitar, Rowan paints a sonic landscape of Alternative Pop music, incorporating elements of folk, pop, blues and world music into a sound that is both deep and authentic.

These performances will comprise one stripped-down, acoustic set, and one electric set, and will feature songs from his albums, reworkings of a few classic songs, and some brand new material.

Rowan's audiences have seen him progress from sought-after session guitarist to exciting singer-songwriter in recent years, and his vocal, lyrical, songwriting and guitar-playing abilities are on full display at his live shows. He has recently been endorsed by Cort Guitars SA, who have invited him to conduct guitar and songwriting workshops around the country.

Rowan has released 4 original solo albums, including 2014's all acoustic Hidden Doors. He has toured the country, opened for popular acts such as Watershed, Dan Patlansky, Jeremy Loops, Matthew Mole, and The Graeme Watkins Project, and shared the stage with Nibs van der Spuy, Gangs of Ballet and Just Jinjer. Songs from his albums have received airplay on over 20 South African radio stations, including ‘Top 20’ chart success with his debut single, Late Starter.

Celebrating Our Jazz Heritage

Melvin Peters Trio - Melvin Peters on piano, Ildo Nandja on bass and Bruce Baker on drums.

In keeping with our commemoration of Freedom Day, it is appropriate to focus on music that emerged from the struggle for liberation in South Africa. However, there is a parallel between the oppression experienced in the US as well as in our own country, at different times in our respective histories. There is an interesting protest music genre that has emerged out of both situations, most of which was encapsulated under the banner of blues, jazz and beyond.

The Melvin Peters Trio will pay homage to various musicians who have composed music based on their experiences during these oppressive times, most notably Duke Ellington and Oscar Petersen who represent the American jazz tradition, and Abdullah Ibrahim and Winston Mankunku who represent the South African jazz landscape. The theme for the concert is: “Jazz: The Music of Protest”. The show promises to be both educational and entertaining, combined with an element of nostalgia. Audiences are in for a treat with the members of this highly acclaimed band who are all household names on the jazz circuit. Don’t miss out on this unique musical journey.

Behind The Noise

 Barry Thomson, Marion Loudon & Jason Andrew    

Ever noticed how often a great song gets drowned out by the noise that comes from over production in a studio? 

Join Durbanites Barry Thomson, Jason Andrew & Marion Loudon as they get back to the root of what makes a great song and give the melody and lyrics space to shine.  Performing some classic tunes, this team have enjoyed finding the essence of some truly classic songs with vocals and just acoustic instruments, singing and playing songs you had forgotten you knew. 

Get ready as this dynamic trio deliver superb renditions of some of your favourite tunes, including hits from George Ezra, Bonnie Raitt,  Eurhythmics, Alison Moyet as well as latest hits from Mumford and Sons , Avicii, Pharell Williams and Avril Lavigne. 

It’s a programme of well-known hits, so sit back and expect to hear refreshing takes from all your favourite bands from Swedish House Mafia, Maroon 5, John Mayer and Katy Perry, as Thomson, Loudon and Andrew have plenty of laughs and leg pulling, bouncing off each other’s talents and energies for a wonderful musical buffet.  Join us at the Rhumbelow Theatre for a show packed full of heartfelt performances on guitars, with a few other musical surprises, soulful harmonies and stunning live musicianship.

SA’s Top Talent at the Rhumbelow Theatre.

R 120-00 a ticket 
Pensioners R 100-00
Book for 3 or more shows R 100-00 each

Bring food picnic baskets.
(Braais will be available should you wish to cook some meat – DBN ONLY)
Limited secure parking available     Booking is essential. 
Bar Available (no alcohol may not be brought on to the premises)
Book at COMPUTICKET or Phone or email Roland for bookings
Cell 0824998636  
Email : roland@stansell.za.net
events.durbantheatre.com