AFRO BLUE

Based in Durban

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Afro Blue has been performing together for some years and is led by Susan Barry on piano/keyboards and Philani Ngidi on bass. The band performs in and around Durban and Kwa-Zulu Natal, playing at festivals, shows, government and corporate functions, private parties and weddings. The line-up can go from one to nine according to the needs of the event. For smaller functions they often play as a three or four piece band depending on the budget and replace the drummer with a drum machine.

For festivals they have used a six piece band plus three backing singers. A typical line-up (as used at the successful 2006 Nedbank Music at the Lake Concert) would consist of:

Lihle Ngidi (Lead Singer)
Three Backing Singers
Jerry Kunene (Saxophones)
Zoco Dimande (Guitar)
Susan Barry (Piano/Keyboards)
Philani Ngidi (Bass Guitar)
Karriem Darries (Drums)

The band's repertoire includes contemporary arrangements of jazz standards, Latin jazz, funk and fusion, party music (covers), South African jazz, contempory arrangements of South African songs, and original compositions by members of the band.

AFRO BLUE'S PERFORMANCES INCLUDE

Opened the Durban International Film Festival
Hilton Festival
Playhouse Womens Festival (3 Times)
Bat Womens Festival (4 Times)
Blues Festival (2 Times)
Celebrate Durban
North Coast Music Festival
Sibaya Womens Celebration
Suncoast Jazz Series
Rivets at the Hilton
Government Functions: Water Conference ,Racism Conference, Foreign Affairs, Land Affairs,International Sociology Conference, KZN Tourism, NIA, Portnet Transnet  and so many more.
Corporate Functions: BMW, Mercedes Benz,Renault, Siemens ,Telkom,Hunt Lascaris on Robben Island  the University of Natal, the Danish embassy, Durban municipality, and so many more it is impossible to list. The band is always busy.
Forest Whitaker Reception at the ICC Arena(April 2007)
President Mbeki in the Karoo (May 2007)

 

PROFILE OF PERFORMERS

Lihle Ngidi     Voice
Lihle lectures in jazz voice at the University of KwaZuluNatal. She was chosen to represent South Africa  in Norway for some performances when she was a student. She works with Afro Blue and has backed Busi Mhlongo, Ray Phiri and Gito Balloyi.

Jerry Kunene    Saxophones
Jerry is Durban’s top saxophone player. He has worked with Pat Matshikiza, Mario Monteregge, Soul Brothers, Ray Phiri and many of South Africa's jazz greats.
He has worked extensively in the Middle East and toured Australia and America with Mbongeni Ngema.

Zoco Dimande    Guitar
Zoco is one of the top guitarists from Mocambique.
He is a charismatic performer who has had a great deal of international  experience .He was the leader of the marrabenta/hip hop/traditional band Mabulu which has recorded two CD's and done seven European tours with them. He was voted best guitarist in the 2002 WOMAD Festival in England. He is also a beautiful composer. At present he is playing with Afro Blue and Busi Mhlongo(as is Susan Barry)

Susan Barry   Piano/Keyboards
Susan Barry is a full-time lecturer in the jazz department at UKZN. She has worked with Busi Mhlongo for 20 years and has toured and recorded in Europe with her.  Played  in this years Awesome Africa under her own name as part of the Rolling Jazz Reunion . She has also worked with Mc Coy Mrubata, Ezra Ngcukana, Sibongile Khumalo, Xolisa Gqoli and Nina Mkhize. The last two won the Old Mutual Jazz Competition nationally  singing her material in 2000 and 2002 respectively. She has also written music for Handspring Puppet Company  and is known as a composer.

Philani Ngidi   Bass Guitar
Philani is one of South Africa’s top bass players. He is a brilliant soloist and has worked  with Busi Mhlongo, Ray Phiri, Ernie Smith, Judith Sephuma, Musa Manzini and many others. He  was the curtain raiser for David Sanborn in Durban in 2004.He was musical director for Ronnie Jordan’s South African tour in 2006., Philani has also worked extensively in the Middle East, Europe and also toured Australia with Mbongeni Ngema. He is a great bass player with an international reputation despite the fact that he does not have his own CD as yet.  

Karriem Darries  Drums
Karriem is one of South Africa’s top drummers. He toured Europe with the Genuines and recorded with them. He has also played with Jimmy Dludlu and Ernie Smith. He has worked a lot as a club musician and has played on various artists CD's as a session musician.