N’Den Miriam Makeba Tribute & The South Jersey Pom-Poms

MiTH 19 July 2023

INFO: 082 331 7271

ENTRANCE: R50.00 – Cash or Zapper at the Door

VENUE: The Knoll Historic Guest Farm

7pm: N’Den Miriam Makeba Tribute

The music of Miriam Makeba influenced vocalist Thulile Zama and her band members to such an extent that they found it fitting to organise a tribute concert in her honour.

The show is a compilation of Sophiatown’s finest music with songs made famous by Miriam Makeba. Selected by Thulile Zama, the creative director, the show includes the distinctive sound we all know, comprising of the most exciting and favourite songs, but also emotional songs. These all contribute to a vital sketch of our rich musical heritage. Tribute to Mama Africa has been in theatres and live music venues across KZN and South Africa, with shows at The State Theatre in Pretoria, Hilton Arts Festival, POP Art in Johannesburg, Rhumbelow Theatre in Durban, Pietermaritzburg, and Kloof, and Alliance Française in Durban. The band recently returned from headlining the No Franco#5 festival in Maputo, Mozambique.

Thulile Zama, distinguished by her dazzling voice, is the lead vocalist of the successful all-female contemporary jazz band, Heels Over Head (Best Contemporary Jazz nominees SAMA 2011, and Yamaha Young Artist winners 2010). Thulile’s versatility as a vocalist is well-known and well-loved in the jazz circuit in Durban. Her talents have taken her to Hamburg and Berlin, Germany and New Orleans, USA. Thulile is the concert organiser at the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music at UKZN.

On the piano is David Smith, who was a member of a very successful Jazz/Hip Hop band, Big Idea, that made waves throughout the country. Together, Smith and Zama form the musical duo N’den and are set to release their debut album in June 2023. They have been founding members of the Tributes to Mama Africa since 2017.

Joining them on this set is Blessing Twala – an electric/double bass player from Emalahleni in Mpumalanga. He currently lives in Durban, and is studying music at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Completing the line-up is S’khulile Mthembu, who hails from the dusty streets of Enseleni Township in Richards Bay. He studied music at the University of KwaZulu and has shared the stage with big names in the music industry.

8:30pm: The South Jersey Pom-Poms

The South Jersey Pom-Poms are delighted to be bringing their signature touch of disorder to Music in the Hills. They are a Durban band who write and perform wry, dizzying songs in German, French, Italian and English.

In their music you will hear influences of Gogol Bordello, Lhasa, Tom Waits; pickings of Americana and some catchy Klezmer. Add to this a little punk, cabaret and some joyful mayhem, and you will arrive at what is, The South Jersey Pom-Poms. As expected, their sound is off kilter with a bit of sexy, a bit of abandon and a whole lot of heart.

Band Members are: Jochen Zeller (guitar and vocals), Anton Cawthorn-Blazeby (violin), Sean Stewart (bass) and Belinda Henwood (accordion and vocals).

They perform in and around Durban and are delighted to be making their first appearance at Music in The Hills.

ABOUT MiTH: Arguably the KZN Midlands’ best-loved music venue, Music in The Hills (MiTH) is an opportunity for beginners, professionals, and passionate music fans to share the joy of music at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm. Visit www.mith.co.za for more details and directions. Musicians can contact mithbookings@gmail.com for slots.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: MiTH takes place every second Wednesday at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm, Knoll Drive, Hilton. Doors open at 6pm and the music will kick off at 7pm. Entrance is R50 at the door. Food and soft drinks are available for sale. A cash bar is available.

DIRECTIONS TO MiTH: Take the N3 to Hilton, take the Hilton turnoff and go South into the Village (away from Hilton College). Travel 5,2km along Hilton Avenue (past two sets of traffic lights and Crossways Pub) and keep going straight as Hilton Avenue turns into Dennis Shepstone Drive. At the 5,2km mark, Knoll Drive will be on your right – the entrance to MiTH is the *second* entrance on your left into The Knoll Historic Guest Farm.