If you like orchestral arrangements – high in strings, low on brass and winds – and the indigenous Cape or ‘ghoema’ beat, you’ll like what Mac Mckenzie has put together, and be wiggling in your seats at the SABC Studios in Cape Town. What a unique project, full of conventional and ghoema jazz,with a 25-piece orchestra, and throw in the hang drum of guest Chris Takolon, the singing acoustic guitar of Derek Gripper, and trumpet of another guest Mandla Mlangeni, and you get a cultural symphony of sounds. Mac’s 25-piece orchestra included two flutes and two double basses, all played by women. With Swiss funding under the auspices of the Cape Town Composers' Workshop, a not for profit organization created to develop young composers, and network international composers, composer Mckenzie has made Ghoema contemporary and distinct. The workshops have enabled young musos, like Mlangeni, to prepare and present their pieces (Mlangeni’s “Tune Recreation Committee” take on the TRC). Stories are distinctly Cape with a banjo, mandolin, and gummie drum added to the traditional symphonic instrumentation.
A stunning duo between Chantal Willie’s double bass bowing, with her vocals, and Chris Takolon’s hang drum opened the show. They conversed through his overtone singing which to me, still remains a mystery of the spirit. Between her chants and his oooommms, I was set up for the evening’s surprises. Versatile Chris also joined other pieces with his flute and sax.
Strings will be strings, and this evening, they tackled complicated runs and harmonies, not always in sync or in tune. But harmonies led in a well known Mac song between the double bass and trombone duo, with Mac’s guitar guiding the conversation with another double bass. Then a cello enters, followed by comments from the t’bone, flute, a violin, trumpet, and sax. Answers again from Mac and plunks from the d. basses. Interesting composition and arrangement, indeed!
Other compositions included upbeat tempos by the trumpet, other rambunctious violin frenzies, flutes singing, mixed with the lively and unmistakable Ghoema beat. A carnival theme, led by the saxes’ groove, brought us to half-time, cheering like at a tied rugby game.
Derek Gripper offered a tribute song to the late trumpeter and another ghoema captain, Alex van Heerden, which was very moving with a light tempered and emotional acoustic guitar and voice calls of the San. The strings brushed softly, symbolizing sounds of earth and running through the sand, like San do. A gripping piece, indeed!
McKenzie had debuted his Ghoema Orchestra No. 1 in August 2010 as part of a process that started with seed funding from the Cape Africa Platform in 2005. But it was Mac’s days with his ‘Genuines’, a punk rock cult band, that sketched his compositional path from the 1980’s to the present day concerts. "So this is nothing new, it has been coming on a long time. What is new is that now we can do it!" Mac says gleefully. A unique Ghoema groove has been built.
Two more performances are scheduled for Saturdays March 19 and 27 at the Studios, so don’t miss this one! R150 at the door; R100 for pensioners and students. Or book through Computicket or by e-mail: composers.workshop.ct@gmail.com or SMS to 072 500 22 04.
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