The Soweto String Quartet (SSQ), a top vibrant and funky South African classical music group is scheduled to perform in Tanzania for the first time. The group is made up of four exceptionally talented brothers. The three Khamese brothers, violinists Sandile and Thami and cellist, Reuben are slated to perform live in Dar es Salaam on Friday 4th 2011 and in Arusha Saturday 5th 2011.
The Soweto String Quartet was formed in 1989 at the Madimba School of Music. Their music is uniquely African comprising of a blend of traditional rhythms, township jazz, pop songs and fusion with strong classical influences. The group is renowned for its use of rhythms of Kwela, syncopated guitars of Mbaqanga, the saxophones and trumpets of swaying African jazz and the voices of people singing in joyous, easy harmony.
For a long while the talents of the group went unrecognized as the apartheid era saw all things South African boycotted. To date the band has released five albums which sparked interest from all corners of the world including two albums which were released in the United Kingdom (UK).
Soweto String Quartet is Mandela’s favorite group and together they have performed with him at various functions including his Presidential inauguration in 1994. They have also given performances for UK’s Princess Anne and the rest of the royal family.
This brought a major success to the group not just in South Africa alone as they released an album that earned multi-platinum status and received numerous awards for all their albums including repeated FNB South African Music Awards for Best Pop Album, Best new Group and Best Instrumental Performance. The awards placed the band firmly on the international music map and earned them further recognition on home soil as significant South African cultural exports.
A broad appeal of the band was celebrated in 2003 when the group performed in front of a global audience of more than 1 billion during the ICC Cricket Word Cup in South Africa.
With the great success through the years, the group also performed alongside many global superstars including Chris de Burgh, Duran Duran, Cliff Richard, Billy Ocean, Whitney Houston and many others.
The band’s label debut was Zebra Crossing, back in mid 1998, followed a year later by Renaissance. Soweto String Quartet was discovered by BMG Records producer Grahame Beggs who signed their recording label.
What: An Afro-pop band Soweto String Quartet in Tanzania
When: Friday 4th and 5th March 2011 Where: MovenPick Royal Palm Hotel, Dar es salaam and The Arusha Hotel, Arusha Why: Time for Afro-pop band to bring some Africa’s magical music to Tanzania”
