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City Sketches, Inc. Presents
"The Bob Baldwin South Africa Memoirs" (A Work in Progress)  (Picture by Rod Taylor) Recently, a trip with Marion Meadows
and myself in Johnannesburg, South Africa resulted in a It all started with a call from
a lifelong friend of mine, Mr. Rod Taylor. He had cultivated some
ties in Johannesburg and Further, the attached picture from
a young lady from SA who attended the event had the perfect shot at the
perfect moment |
9/5/00
Dear Ms. Roginski:
On
behalf of REA International, a corporation
whose core mission is to
reshape Education through the Arts, I was flattered
and honored to have had
you greet Marion and myself at the show Sunday.
I was even further flattered
and honored that you want us to perform for
the South African Consulate. This
is a wonderful opportunity to display the awesome
wonder of the South African
musicians with an American twist.
The
connection between the United States and
South Africa in the name of
music and culture elevated to a new level Sunday.
The vision of Mr. Meadows,
REA International and myself as it pertains
to performing for the consulate
is to perform jointly with Marion, using the
South African rhythm section.
Working jointly with South African Musicians
as well as educating young
aspiring musicians through seminars and informational
panels is part of the
process.
If
you were not aware of the dynamics of the
evening, there were other
recording artists were in attendance at the
Standard Bank Joy Of Jazz
Festival. Those artists, however, brought their
own band and stayed on for a
few short days and stayed within their comfort
zone.
Marion
and I, however under the direction of
REA International, came for a
week, rehearsed with a South African musicians
whom we just met the day we
arrived on 8/26. We rehearsed 3 days,
teaching everyone our previously
recorded music. A huge bond developed between
us and them in that short time
and we all made each other feel like family,
which in the end was more
important than the fact that their peformances
were also sensational.
A
spiritual connection was made and in the end,
you witnessed a wonderful
closure to a historical week between American
and African musicians. We've
already been asked to return to South Africa
sometime in December as a result
of our visit.
I
was writing to see how we can accomodate the
Consulate during this period.
I am excited about the possibilities of working
close to you in order to
raise the awareness of the virtues of this great
re-discovery we all call
South Africa.
At
your earliest convenience, I look forward
to hearing from you via email,
or if you wish, email a time to speak to you
and I will call you. You may
call me anytime regarding this matter at xxx-xxx-xxx,
and Ms. Roginski, I do
mean "anytime".
Again,
it is my honor as a United States citizen
to share the virtues of
South Africa to the United States and the world.
Please let me know how to
assist further in this endeavor.
Sincerely,
Bob Baldwin
CEO/President
City
Sketches, Inc.
Heads Up Music Reports.. 11/11/00 Heads Up in Africa Saxophonist Marion Meadows in support of his brand new release Next To You has just returned from a set of wonderful concerts with pianist Bob Baldwin in Johannesburg, South Africa. Joe McBride now returns for his 3rd trip to the "motherland" with concerts in Johannesburg 10/27, Durban 10/22 & 10/23, Cape Town 10/29, Bloemfontein10/30 where he will be backed up by the great bassist Sipho Gumede and his band from Durban. This tour is in support
of both Joe McBride's brand new Texas Rhythm Club and the Smooth Africa
album. Joe will also do some private engagements at two American
Embassies.
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 Who's who, and all that jazz... An A to Z of the artists performing at this year’s Joy of Jazz festival. Inaugurated at the State Theatre in Pretoria in 1996, the event developed from a small indoor jazz festival to one of South Africa’s biggest live music extravaganzas featuring the world’s best in jazz, reggae, gospel and kwaito. Performing at the festival will be: Ashaan Ashaan are a group of socially conscious lads from Pietermaritzburg who use their R&B sounds to tackle serious issues in a witty way. Bob Baldwin
This innovative and well-travelled jazz musician has played with the world’s best including Will Downing, Gerald Albright, Chuck Loeb and Marion Meadows. Jimmy Dludlu
Dludlu’s catchy riffs and stylish stage appearance are well-known features of the South African jazz scene. Dludlu’s performance at the Joy of Jazz festival is sure to be a treat. E’smile Versatile, multi-talented and creative. That’s singer, song-writer and producer E’smile. The South African Music Awards winner’s music style cannot be pigeonholed: he’s comfortable singing kwaito, hip-hop and belting out R&B numbers. Family Factory The music group behind the Joyous Celebration gospel series was formed in 1996 by talented youths from various parts of the country. Their fusion of gospel hymns and R&B arrangements, and their presentation, has a large following of both young and old music lovers. Trilok Gurtu
A man in restless pursuit of the rhythmic connections between East and West, Indian composer Trilok Gurtu opens a window on an exotic world of sound where African and Indian influences create bold new statements in the world music genre. Jonas Gwangwa Jonas Gwangwa brings the grace of Africa’s — and one of the world’s — foremost jazz trombonists to the Joy of Jazz Festival. Harley and the Rasta Family Colbert Mukwevho (alias Harley) is a multi-talented reggae artist. Many have mistaken his soulful but forceful voice for that of reggae legend Bob Marley. But through his roots-reggae renditions, Harley has proved to be a trendsetter and not a copycat. Ronnie Jordan
London-born Jamaican, internationally acclaimed guitarist, global acid jazz pioneer — Ronnie Jordan’s performance is a festival milestone. Linda Kekana Linda Kekana is fast becoming a household name in jazz circles. Born and bred in Atteridgeville, the Mecca of Gauteng jazz, her angelic, but powerful voice is in the mould of Nina Simone, Shirley Bassey and Letta Mbulu. Jabu Khanyile Jabu Khanyile has been dubbed idlozi (living ancestor) of South African traditional music. Before this genre of music came into vogue, Khanyile and Bayete were in the forefront of developing and highlighting its cultural importance throughout the world. Sibongile Khumalo A soulful but dynamic diva, Khumalo interprets with integrity and poise any musical piece she tackles. From traditional South African sounds, to classical and jazzy melodies, she glides into different genres with comfortable ease. A marvel to watch on stage! Abigail Kubeka Georgia Brown ... Summertime ... My Baby Just Cares For Me — classic songs, great cabaret and timeless artistry. Allen Kwela A
jazz guitar
institution in South Africa, Allen Kwela is revered and respected for
his
extraordinary contribution to our musical tradition. His latest album
is
called The Broken Strings of Allen Kwela. |
Rebecca Malope
South Africa’s gospel queen. Superbly backed by Pure Magic, Malope remains South Africa’s best selling gospel artists. Mandoza The most happening kwaito star at the moment following the release of his second album, Nkalakatha. Mandoza hails from Zola in Soweto and has not put a foot wrong since flying solo last year. Marion Meadows
United States soprano saxophonist Marion Meadows brings us the electricity of hard hitting yet sensual New York jazz. Meadows’s urbane, contemporary sounds pay tribute to the nightlife of a great city. Esther Miller Born and raised in Port Elizabeth, globe-trotting Esther Miller brings vocal brilliance to the festival. Moses Taiwa Molelekwa
Molelekwa has emerged as one of the leaders of a new generation of master musicians in South Africa. He is a virtuoso pianist and one of the continent’s most innovative composers. Carlo Mombelli
South African-born master bassist Carlo Mombelli reached cult status among local music lovers in the 1980s. During the past decade he performed and recorded his compositions in collaboration with the world’s top jazz artists and is currently developing Boabab Art Records in Johannesburg. National Youth Jazz Band The National Youth Jazz Band (NYJB), a product of the Standard Bank Jazz Festival in Grahamstown, is causing musical ripples on the South African jazz circuit. The NYJB was started in 1992 as an offshoot of the festival to give students a platform to develop their talent. The result? An innovative outfit that plays unique blend of big band jazz. Selaelo Selota Liberally talented guitarist, composer, arranger and bandleader, Selaelo Selota is South Africa’s brand new jazz force. SLIQ and MXO SLIQ and MXO are a dynamic, culture-conscious duo from Eastern Cape. Theirs is a celebration of soulful, African traditional sounds laced with modern rap and hip-hop lyrics. Tidal Waves Afro-roots-rock group with a serious bias for ska and reggae. This is an apt description of this four-piece rasta outfit. Having played at some of South Africa’s major jam spots, Da Waves’ skankin’ is surely going to smash the masses wherever dey play. Visit their original web page. Click Here!! Chuck Loeb
Millions of people
hear the music of this brilliant American guitarist, composer and
producer
every day — his many world-renowned compositions include the logo music
of CNN’s Headline News, ABC’s Nightline and CBS’s News
Up to the Minute. |
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