Gig Guide Update: Jazz Chronicles of a German in Cape Town – Friday 1 March 19h00 at the Endler Hall in Stellenbosch.

Jazz Chronicles of a German in Cape Town – Friday 1 March 19h00 at the Endler Hall in Stellenbosch.

Endler Concert Series Presents:

“Jazz Chronicles of a German in Cape Town.”

With Martin Zenker (double bass), Ramon Alexander (piano), Sima Mashazi (vocals), Nathaniel Gates (trombone), Annemie Nel (drums), Andreas Kissenbeck (piano), Pascal Haas (drums)

Friday 1 March 19:00 | Endler Hall, Stellenbosch.

The vibrant fusion of German and South African jazz takes center stage at the Endler Concert Series on Friday, March 1st, at 19:00, at the renowned ENDLER HALL. Renowned German bassist Martin Zenker spearheads this extraordinary concert, showcasing a talented ensemble of musicians from both Germany and South Africa.

Musical Alchemy: A Cross-Cultural Exchange.

German bassist Martin Zenker frequently travels between Mongolia, Munich, Rio de Janeiro, and Stellenbosch. In this concert, he features musicians from Germany and South Africa who are part of an exciting new exchange program between the Stellenbosch University Department of Music and the University of Music and Theatre, Munich (HMT).

Expressing his excitement, Zenker shares, “I have been visiting the Stellenbosch Konservatorium for many years and I am now particularly honored and thrilled for the opportunity to present some of my favorite music and a selection of my own tunes with some of my favorite musicians in definitely one of my favorite venues.”

Joining Zenker on stage are an eclectic group of musicians: Ramon Alexander (piano), Sima Mashazi (vocals), Nathaniel Gates (trombone), Annemie Nel (drums), Andreas Kissenbeck (piano), and Pascal Haas (drums). This dynamic ensemble promises an evening of high-octane jazz, bridging two diverse cultures through a very personal lens.

Pivotal in establishing the new ERASMUS exchange program between the Stellenbosch University Department of Music and Munich University, Martin Zenker brings a wealth of international experience. Nathaniel Gates, the first student selected for the exchange program, recently returned from a guest semester at the University of Music and Theatre (HMT), Munich.

Andreas Kissenbeck, Professor of piano and head of the Masters Program for Jazz Education in Munich, brings his expertise to Stellenbosch as part of the German Academic Exchange Service. Pascal Haas, a Munich University for Music graduate, recently moved to Stellenbosch to pursue a Ph.D. in music.

Ramon Alexander, SU Jazz lecturer from the SU Jazz Division and prolific Cape Jazz composer and pianist, forms part of the ensemble, and together with popular South African songstress, Sima Mashazi and Annemie Nel, acclaimed singer and drummer, respectively, have recently completed a successful tour of Germany and Belgium alongside Martin Zenker.

Sima Mashazi expresses her excitement, stating, “I’m truly looking forward to this performance as I will be sharing the stage with people who are not only dear to me but who are also musicians that I have a great deal of respect for. It’s also wonderful to see this collaboration between SU and Munich University grow so beautifully and organically.”

Nathanial Gates, a participant in the jazz exchange program, shares his journey, saying, “I have been part of the jazz department for approximately three years now. I have been playing in some of Martin Zenker’s combos for the past three years, which also got me an opportunity to go to Germany recently for an exchange program for jazz trombone under the direction of Alistair Duncan. I am so excited to share the stage with my mentors and teachers and share what I have learned thus far from them.”

As these words of anticipation and gratitude echo, the “Jazz Chronicles of a German in Cape Town” promises to be a night of boundless musical exploration. Join us at ENDLER HALL on March 1st at 19:00 for an unforgettable cross-cultural jazz experience. Book at Webtickets.