AfricArise Record Series
About AfricArise
A collaboration between City of Gold Arts and Ropeadope Records, AfricArise stands as a first-of-its-kind series, celebrating the Jazz tradition of South Africa and bringing some of its greatest artists to the attention of listeners around the world.
April 2024 marks the launch of AfricArise with its inaugural releases coming from South African Jazz legends Steve Dyer and from McCoy Mrubata.
June 2024 marks a new album by rising star pianist Thembi Dunjana.
Greetings fellow humans. Almost all of us feel ties to the lands of our birth, and I’m no different. I was born in South Africa, a place where multiple musical energies exist in spiritual spaces, community get togethers, rituals, protests as well as dedicated performances.
As South Africa nears its 30 years of democracy we are faced with a myriad of challenges, but we are resilient. The tracks on ENHLIZWENI are a creative offering of how South Africa has shaped, and continues to shape my personal, and our collective stories.
Music in this country is most often a communal edeavour. I hope “ENHLIZWENI – song stories from my heartland” can in some way contribute, in the words of freedom fighter Steve Biko, to “the great gift (that) still has to come from Africa – giving the world a more human face.
– Steve Dyer
This album is a testament to the power of collaboration, born from a transcontinental journey that began in South Africa and traversed across oceans to find resonance in the hearts of musicians from diverse corners of the world.
The genesis of these melodic tales originated from South Africa, in the company of the ingenious guitarist Oscar Dlamini and the skilled trombonist and arranger Jabu Mgubane. The journey across continents took a significant turn when I had the honour of sharing this musical odyssey with the esteemed American guitarist Gary Witnner during our June 2023 mini-USA tour. Our musical synergy, forged since our first meeting in 2008, blossomed anew as we introduced this music to the incredibly talented bassist Jennifer Vincent, with whom I’ve had a privilege of working with a number of times when in the States, and the rhythmic pulse of drummer George Gray, who worked with the South African great Abdullah Ibrahim for over fifteen years.
The culmination of this cross-continental narrative transpired in the studio, where a convergence of musical brilliance unfolded. Joined by a stellar cast of guest musicians—pianist Steven Feifke, clarinet and alto player Evan Christopher, and the South African trombonist (now based in the US) Siya Charles. The recording sessions were a testament to collaboration at its best. Each musician brought their unique voice, contributing to the tapestry of sound that defines this album.
The culmination of this collaborative effort is what one hears on this album that encapsulates the spirit of the music, cultural exchange, and artistic camaraderie. It's a celebration of the universal language of music that transcends borders, embracing the shared heartbeat that unites us all.
-McCoy Mrubata