The multi-award-winning entertainer will also be launching a much anticipated South African and Mozambique tour to celebrate the occasion, presented by Arte Viva Management and Concerts SA.
Mqiki has a larger than life personality, an even bigger heart and “an insane amount of control over her notes”. From ballads to funky soul-jazz, her music vibrates with visceral emotion, which combined with her spontaneity and explosive musical talent, attracts a growing and ardent following.
Tracking her career through her time as the lead singer for the band Take Note, regular guest appearances with The Soil (most notably the song ‘Lizzy’), and performances with the likes of the legendary Sibongile Khumalo, Freshlyground, Khaya Mahlangu, Bongeziwe Mabandla, Putuma Tiso and Berita, Asanda Mqiki comes of age with this album recording.
Those who have seen a live performance know the passion, energy and fun she brings to the stage.
Now backed by an exceptionally talented line-up, Mqiki has chosen to capture this for her first album and is eager for her fans to be a part of this exciting new chapter.
The album – entitled ‘Nobakithi’ – will be released by early April, digitally and on CD, and pre-sales will start from the concert.
The PE performance kicked off a Concerts SA supported tour that saw Mqiki and her band take the musical ‘magic’ all the way to Mozambique, where they played at the Centro Cultural Franco-Moçambicano on Wednesday, 7 February and Uptown Café on Thursday, 8 February.
Returning to SA, they play on Friday, 9 February at His & Hers Jams at the Eyethu Lifestyle Centre in Soweto, followed by two shows in Durban, on Saturday, 10 February at late-night venue The Chairman, and on Sunday, 11 February at the afternoon jazz session at the BAT Centre.
The following weekend, they travel up to East London for a performance at the Fort Hare Music Department on Friday, 16 February, and end the tour with a show at the Steve Biko Centre in King William’s Town on Saturday, 17 February.
She performs with her full band featuring Thoba Goba on drums, Grant Allison on bass, Mthokozisi Mabuza on keys, Qaqambile Qingana on second keys, Kamva Goba on percussion and Joash Soobramoney on alto saxophone.
Asanda’s tour is supported by Concerts SA through the Music Mobility Fund, a funding mechanism which offers opportunities for South African musicians to undertake live music tours.
Project manager Violet Maila says: “We are proud to support the regional tour of a musical talent like Asanda Mqiki, who carries on the rich tradition of jazz storytelling that is part of the fabric of the South African journey.
We are confident audiences across SA and Mozambique will be moved by her uniquely soulful voice accompanied by her sextet of PE young jazz cats.”
Tour dates:
Thursday, 8 February. UpTown Café, Maputo.
From: 18h00.
No cover charge. Minimum consumption required.
Address: Uptown Café,Rua da Mesquita 301, Maputo, Mozambique.
Enquiries: +258 84 873 3098
Friday, 9 February. His & Hers Jams, Eyethu Lifestyle Centre, Soweto, Johannesburg.
Doors open 18h00, show starts at 20h00
Tickets: R100 adults. Available via Quicket http://qkt.io/bSPHNf and at the door.
Address: Eyethu Lifestyle Centre, 00651 Tshabalala Street, Mofolo Central, Soweto
Enquiries: bookings@artevivamanagement.com
Saturday, 10 February. The Chairman, Durban.
Show starts 22h30
Cover charge of R150 deducted from food & drinks bill.
Address: The Chairman, 146 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Durban
Enquiries: bookings@artevivamanagement.com
Sunday, 11 February. The Bat Centre, Durban.
Show starts at 15h00
No cover charge.
Address: The BAT Centre, 45 Maritime Place, Durban.
Enquiries: bookings@artevivamanagement.com
Friday, 16 February. Miriam Makeba Centre, University of Fort Hare Music Department, East London.
Doors open 18h30, music starts at 19h30.
Tickets: R100 adults / R50 pensioners with ID / R20 University students. Available at the door.
Address: Miriam Makeba Centre of Performing Arts, Corner Buffalo & Church Street, East London.
Enquiries: bookings@artevivamanagement.com
Saturday, 17 February. Steve Biko Centre, King Williams Town.
Doors open 18h00, show starts 19h00.
Tickets: R100 adults / R50 students & pensioners with ID. Available at the door.
Address: Steve Biko Centre, 2429 Mbeka Street, Ginsburg, King William’s Town.
Enquiries: Xolani – 043 – 605 6700 or xkapakati@sbf.org.za
