The Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria is proud to announce a tour by DJ and jazz musician Nicola Conte, in collaboration with the Italian Embassy in South Africa, the Consulate General of Italy in Johannesburg the Consulate of Italy in Cape Town, the Honorary Consulate of Italy in Antananarivo, and International Jazzday. The tour will involve both Madagascar (April 6) where he will perform for free, and South Africa (April 10-14).
Nicola Conte has established himself as one of the best and most eclectic musicians, producers and composers of the Italian and international jazz scene. As a guitarist, bandleader and DJ, Conte has built his name through a repertoire that echoes influences from 1960s movie soundtracks, spiritual jazz, Latin American and African music. Thanks to his achievements he managed to perform into the most renowned clubs in Europe, as well as in San Francisco, Tokyo and Moscow. His talent is already well-known in South Africa, where he has performed several times, getting undisputed recognition as the founding father of “Italian acid jazz”.
The performance in Madagascar will take place as follows:
- Saturday, April 6 h7:00 p.m. – La Canopée Restaurant, Immeuble Aloe, Antanimena, Booking is mandatory through the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/billets-nicola-conte-odyssee-du-jazz-africain-une-fusion-de-cultures-et-de-sons-854167837997?aff=oddtdtcreator
After this solo DJ-set in Madagascar, Conte will go through many performances in South Africa, organized in collaboration with Internation Jazzday, in the person of its founder, the award-winning broadcaster and journalist Brenda Sisane.
In South Africa, Conte will be accompanied by two other well-known jazz players.
Finnish-born drummer Teppo Mäkynen got a degree in music at the prestigious Art Academy before being admitted to the jazz department of the Sibelius Academy in 1994. He has a long history of artistic collaborations, among which those with Ape Anttila, Manuel Dunkel and Ivo Perelman are particularly worth mentioning.
American bassist Ameen Saleem grew up in Washington. He completed his education at the District of Columbia Youth Orchestra and Duke Ellington School of the Arts; after graduating cum laude from North Carolina Central University, he collaborated with artists such as Roy Hargrove, Mamiko Watanabe, Simona Premazzi, Chris Parker, Eric Wyatt, Frank Lacy and Sullivan Fortner.
They will perform live with some famous South African musicians as well, such as Sisonke Xhonti (saxophone), Siya Makhuzeni (vocals and trombone) and Gontse Makhene (percussion).
Their performances will take place as per the following schedule:
- WEDNESDAY 10 April h6:00 pm – Gorgeous George Hotel, 118 St Georges Mall, Cape Town. For bookings: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/251414-the-dig-presents-intimate-sessions-with-nicola-conte-umoja-tour-vinyl-set-and-s/#/
- THURSDAY 11 April h7:00 pm – Youngblood Gallery, 70-72 Bree Street, Cape Town. For bookings: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/254656-the-dig-presents-intimate-sessions-with-nicola-conte-umoja-ensemble-afro-euro-a/
- SATURDAY 13 April h2:00 am – Le’Ashma Lounge, 13 Tlou Street, Atteridgeville, Pretoria. For bookings: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/251774-dje-kenzhero-thamuzik-present-obrigado-ft-nicola-conte/#/
- SUNDAY 14 April h1:00 pm- Constitution hill, Old Fort Parade Ground, 11 Kotze Road, Johannesburg. For bookings: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/251406-the-dig-presents-intimate-sessions-with-nicola-conte-umoja-ensemble-live-in-job/#/
Booking for every event is mandatory. For more information, please refer to the Italian Cultural Institute at iicpretoria.eventi@esteri.it or 012 342 0010.