Jazz City 564
Jazz City
By Jay Mazza
A month or so ago, I was visiting the Maple Leaf Bar in uptown New Orleans gathering information on future activities at the club. Fans of live New Orleans music love the venue; it is one of the places that contains the heart and soul of our culture. But despite my accolades and those of other writers from around the world, they don’t do a lot of press or publicity. Their music listings are often incorrect or simply unavailable due in part to their decidedly laid back approach to business. Hence my visit.
Huddled at the bar with the club’s booking agent was Damon Batiste, the visionary behind “Making the Connection” an annual event put on by his organization, NOSACONN- New Orleans-South Africa Connection.
I have covered the event each year in this space, but even I was surprised when Batiste informed me that this was his fifth year bringing South African musicians and business people to New Orleans to network with local musicians and businesses.
My surprise was almost instantly transformed into excitement when he immediately followed that comment with the news that he was headed to Cape Verde the following morning to finalize plans for this year’s event. Cape Verde is an island off the coast of Africa that shares similarities with both New and Old World music and culture. Colonized by Portugal, the island nation has cultural elements that resemble Brazil, also colonized by Portugal, as well as Africa and India. It is a true melting pot.
What many New Orleanians who have witnessed the growth of NOSACONN over these five years, and heard some great music, may not know is that the interchange fostered by Batiste’s group is a two-way street. Besides bringing South African musicians and business people to New Orleans, he has also been bringing New Orleans musicians and business people to South Africa.
This year, his organization is stretching out by soliciting acts from both Cape Verde and Angola (the African country, not the prison) as well as arranging return visits from South African artists. There is a lot happening and the events are spread out around town including two nights at the Maple Leaf. Additionally, this year’s week of events is scheduled in collaboration with the African Studies Association’s annual convention. Here’s a look at what’s been planned. Check the website- Nosaconn.com- for more details.
On Wednesday night, following the kick-off press conference at 11 AM, South African bassist Musi Manzini will perform as part of the University of New Orleans’ Sandbar Series. Scheduled for 7 PM, he will play alongside students in the acclaimed Jazz Studies program.
On Thursday night, Manzini returns to Snug Harbor, where he performed in 2001 also in conjunction with NOSACONN, for two sets with Angolan vocalist Carlos Burity and his world beat ensemble.
I did a little research on Angola and Angolan music to provide my readers with some background information. Angola is located in Central Africa on the Atlantic coast. Her neighbors are Congo (formerly Zaire) to the north and west and Namibia to the south. The country, like Brazil and Cape Verde, was colonized by the Portuguese. Angola became an independent nation in 1974, but has continued to suffer from the malaise of post-colonial adjustment.
The music of Angola shares many similarities with that of Congo despite the fact that the French colonized Congo. But, due to the long influence of Portugal, Angolan life is also intimately connected with Brazilian culture as well. Brazilian radio is a mainstay in the Angolan capital of Luanda and Latin elements have crept in the country’s popular music since Brazilian soldiers occupied the country to help put down anti-colonial rebellion over one hundred years ago. Cuban soldiers were also there more recently fostering even more interconnectedness.
The history and culture are much more detailed than I have space for, but from everything I have read we are definitely going to be hearing some great music.
Of course, the weekend is what everyone is looking forward to and NOSACONN has literally taken over the Maple Leaf for both nights. Dubbed “All Out for Africa Weekend”, Batiste has arranged a lineup that is a seemingly endless smorgasbord for world music fans.
Friday night will feature acts out on the street in front of the Maple Leaf including the Shaka Zulu Connection, stilt walkers and Mardi Gras Indians. Inside the club, Burity will perform again as will the band from Cape Verde. Named for two musical instruments, Ferro Gaita, is an accordion-led group that is well known across the sea for reviving the country’s traditional music, which was banned under the colonial oppressors.
On Saturday night, Manzini returns to the stage, this time performing with two young New Orleanians that are creating a stir- Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and Jonathan Batiste. Batiste, who hails from the same musical family as NOSACONN’s organizer, is briefly returning from his first year of studies at Julliard in New York City to participate in the performance. Lion King and the Zulu Warriors from South Africa are also on the bill. It should be a great week of music. See you there!