Headfirst Editor's Pick
"Hugely influential pioneer of kwaito and towering figure of afro-pop and afro-jazz - it’s hard to envision the South African musical landscape without the Don! He celebrates 50 years at the top and an enduring influence on a new generation (Hunee and Prins Thomas etc) with a historical date at Jam Jar. FFO: Hugh Masekela, Herbie Hancock, Abdullah Ibrahim, Awesome Tapes From Africa, William Onyeabor."
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A gig held at The Jam Jar on Saturday 4th November. The event starts at 19:00.
South African Jazz Legend, Producer, Composer, Multi Instrumentalist prepares for his UK Tour to Celebrate His 50th Anniversary in Music - Music industry icon Don Laka will be continuing his Golden Jubilee celebrations with a UK tour that will see him bring his acclaimed live show to a series of venues across the country.
WorldSong.rocks & Quite Great present
DON LAKA & band
+ Sisanda Myataza & band
Saturday 4th November
7pm - 10pm
The Jam Jar, Bristol
Don Laka’s UK Tour follows on from his recent Don Laka and Friends 50th Anniversary Celebration Concert in which the Kwaai Jazz mastero teamed up with legendary artists such as Sipho (Hotstix) Mabuse, Jimmy Dludlu, Nigerai’s Kunle Oditao and Ayo Solanke, and eWatini’s Gcobane Masuku for a weekend of shows in South Africa State Theatre’s iconic Opera Theatre.
Like the Don Laka and Friends 50th Anniversary Celebration Concert, the artist’s UK tour will reflect on the Laka’s rich and varied musical journey that began in 1972, and has seen him release over 800 songs, with over 80 collaborations, many awards, and a Grammy nomination for his work with Hugh Maskela.
Laka has been an undeniable music history pioneer for his role in the development of not one but two South African musical styles – Kwaito (and its off shoot Afro-Pop) and Kwaai Jazz (and its off shoot Mapianos). For these, his 6 multi-plat albums, and more, he was awarded the South African Music Award’s most prestigious award – The Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.
Beyond his own artistic output, Don Laka has been a force for good in the music industry as a whole. In his early career, Laka was a teacher who helped to train many of the next generation to come, and founded the first successful black record company, Kalawa Jazzmee Records, in South Africa allowing artists to produce, record, and market their own music without help from any major label.
Don Laka’s UK Tour will see the artist bring his incredible musical repertoire back here with an unforgettable live show sure to stun audiences.
Entry requirements:
WorldSong.rocks & Quite Great present
DON LAKA & band
+ Sisanda Myataza & band
Saturday 4th November
7pm - 10pm
The Jam Jar, Bristol
Don Laka’s UK Tour follows on from his recent Don Laka and Friends 50th Anniversary Celebration Concert in which the Kwaai Jazz mastero teamed up with legendary artists such as Sipho (Hotstix) Mabuse, Jimmy Dludlu, Nigerai’s Kunle Oditao and Ayo Solanke, and eWatini’s Gcobane Masuku for a weekend of shows in South Africa State Theatre’s iconic Opera Theatre.
Like the Don Laka and Friends 50th Anniversary Celebration Concert, the artist’s UK tour will reflect on the Laka’s rich and varied musical journey that began in 1972, and has seen him release over 800 songs, with over 80 collaborations, many awards, and a Grammy nomination for his work with Hugh Maskela.
Laka has been an undeniable music history pioneer for his role in the development of not one but two South African musical styles – Kwaito (and its off shoot Afro-Pop) and Kwaai Jazz (and its off shoot Mapianos). For these, his 6 multi-plat albums, and more, he was awarded the South African Music Award’s most prestigious award – The Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.
Beyond his own artistic output, Don Laka has been a force for good in the music industry as a whole. In his early career, Laka was a teacher who helped to train many of the next generation to come, and founded the first successful black record company, Kalawa Jazzmee Records, in South Africa allowing artists to produce, record, and market their own music without help from any major label.
Don Laka’s UK Tour will see the artist bring his incredible musical repertoire back here with an unforgettable live show sure to stun audiences.
Entry requirements:
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