We’re delighted to be co-sponsoring the visit to Newcastle on Wednesday 12th July of the fantastic Tunde Jegede. He’s an internationally renowned kora player, cellist and composer who bridges African and European musical traditions. Tunde’s soul-stirring music blends the ebb and flow of traditional kora-playing with his own exciting contemporary compositions. (For those unfamiliar, the kora is a 21-string mandinka harp which, when played in the traditional style, also bears a close resemblance to flamenco and to delta blues guitar techniques).
The show is at 8pm at Newcastle Arts Centre (Black Swan downstairs performance bar), Westgate Road NE1 1SG – opposite the Old Assembly Rooms. Tickets are £10 – £8 concessions and £7 for under 18s. There are also two workshops that Tunde will conduct – see below.
Tickets for concert and workshops available from The Jazz Cafe 0191 222 9882 – or call in there – 25 Pink Lane
In this unique concert, part of his “Testimony” UK tour, the audience will taken on a journey to the heart of the griot culture of Mali, bringing Tunde’s sound worlds and rich musical legacies to life. With re-imagined cinematic imagery of ancient Africa, it is a meditative musical experience – a cultural expression that transcends boundaries.
Tunde Jegede grew up in London where his Nigerian father was artist in residence at the Keskidee Centre, Britain’s first Black Arts Centre, and where Tunde encountered a range of black artists and activists including Bob Marley, Linton Kwesi Johnson and Angela Davis. In the Gambia he studied the kora and the ancient Griot tradition of West Africa; in London he studied the cello and western composition.
As a composer he has worked with many major classical orchestras but also for film, theatre, dance, opera and music theatre productions. He has also worked in the jazz field with former members of the Jazz Warriors and formed his own jazz ensemble, the Jazz Griots. He also keeps his creative diversity intact by writing for vocalists and spoken word artists in the pop, R ‘N’B, Reggae and Hip Hop fields.
There will be a support set of songs from young local rising star Victor Yugire.
WORKSHOPS LED BY TUNDE JEGEDE
1. Workshop and talk for students, musicians and members of the public
An introduction to the Kora (West African Harp) and the Griot tradition that dates back to the 13th century.
60 minutes
Wed 12th July
6pm to 7pm / £10.00
Location – Black Swan, 69 Westgate Rd, NE1 1SG
2. Creative music workshop for musicians and students of music
An exploration of composition from an African perspective. This workshop can be for people of mixed musical abilities and instruments as long as they are able to bring their own instruments.
90 – 120 minutes
Musical competence – Intermediate to advanced
Maximum number of participants – 20
Thursday 13th July
10.30am / £15.00
Location – Upstairs in The Jazz Cafe, 25-27 Pink Lane NE1 5DW
PRICE FOR BOTH WORKSHOPS : £20.00
http://www.tundejegede.com
When booking for a workshop please leave your phone or other contact details in case arrangements are changed
Waka Waka Africa North East 