Long before Paul Simon went to Graceland, Johnny Clegg flouted apartheid laws in South Africa by forming the seminal mixed-race band Juluka in the 1970s. Teaming with Sipho Mchunu. Johnny’s sensational cross-cultural concept established the template for fusing Western pop with Zulu rhythms – English vocals fixed to an African heartbeat.

Interview with Africanoz
AfricanOZ caught up with Johnny Clegg to tell us about his music.

<strong>1)What has inspired you to keep making such fantastic music in South Africa for over 30 years?</strong>
I make cross –over music so I am fascinated by different kinds of mixtures possible from the entire musical culture of the world. That is the main impetus to write, a natural curiosity with hybrid music.

<strong>2) What attracted you to Zulu music and culture? What was this like during the apartheid era?</strong>
 The Zulu street guitar tradition and Zulu war dancing. Both are intensely unique but also in themselves, have been influenced by other music and dance styles.

<strong>3) What is your current charity work? How can people in Australia get involved?</strong>
I do education and aids charity work here in South Africa. On our Canadian tour last year I raised funds for World Vision who sold their wares at my shows and I endorse their cause from stage and asked the audience support their work. As I am not a permanent patron of any single charity   and do one- off support shows, it’s hard to get involvement from international fans for that specific show. There are charities that I support as JC in my personal capacity like the Starfish Foundation for Aids Orphans here in SA.

<strong>4) Are we expecting a new CD in 2012? What are your plans?</strong>

I am not releasing a new CD in 2012 as I have to still promote the last one in OZ.

<strong>5) When you’re away from South Africa what do u miss most about the country?</strong>
The fact that there are no guarantees   and each day needs to be negotiated on its own terms.

<strong>JOHNNY CLEGG TOUR DATES</strong>
Melbourne: Saturday 10th March, 2012
Palais Theatre – Bookings: 136 100 <a href=”www.ticketmaster.com.auhttp://www.ticketmaster.com.au/”>www.ticketmaster.com.au</a>

Adelaide: Monday 12th March, 2012
WOMADelaide 2012 – Bookings: <a href=”www.womadelaide.com.auhttp://www.womadelaide.com.au/”>www.womadelaide.com.au</a>

Perth: Tuesday 13th March, 2012
Burswood Theatre – Bookings: 132 849 <a href=”www.ticketek.com.auhttp://www.ticketek.com.au/”>www.ticketek.com.au</a>

Sydney: Thursday 15th March, 2012
Enmore Theatre – Bookings: 132 849 <a href=”www.ticketek.com.auhttp://www.ticketek.com.au/”>www.ticketek.com.au</a>

The National Australia Bank and Jesuit Social Services, supported by AMES, offer a program of paid work experience and development for suitably qualified African-Australians at the Bank‘s Australian offices in Melbourne. There are a number of roles available within various business units in the areas of Finance, Technology and Business Administration. The African Australian Inclusion Program is designed to provide appropriately qualified and skilled candidates with enhanced prospects of gaining a job in their chosen field by: o Acquiring practical skills and experience in a large Australian corporate o Working with a coach throughout the duration of the program. o Being supported in resume development and job search skills during the last months of the program. o Providing future potential employers with a
NAB reference,

The positions will commence in April 2012 and candidates will work for a six month period in a supportive working environment.
The work experience positions will be paid fortnightly at a market entry-level salary and a program of induction and external support will be provided through Jesuit Social Services and its partner organisations.

Details of the Information Briefing Session, which will provide prospective applicants with an opportunity to find out more about the program and available roles, are as follows: Where: NAB Auditorium, Ground Floor 800 Bourke St Docklands. When: Monday 6 February 2012 Attendees: People meeting selection prerequisites for the program (listed above). Time: 5.00 for 5.30pm (light refreshments will be provided). Attire: Business

RSVP: by Thursday 2 February 2012 to jss@jss.org.au with the subject line ?RSVP to AAIP Info Session? and your full name and contact number

For further information, please Jesuit Social Services on (03) 9421 7600.

Friday November 18th – Friday December 16th 2011
The Arts Centre, Curve Bar 4.30-7pm
 
A unique series of FREE jam sessions and rhythmic exchanges exploring rhythm and blues, experimental sounds, European melodies, globalised fusions, afro-beat and jazz.
 
Now in its third year, Multicultural Arts Victoria in association with the Arts Centre presents Visible Sessions, dousing Melbourne audiences in a myriad of cross-cultural fusions and global sounds. Bringing together emerging and renowned artists from Melbourne’s new and established communities, the Visible Sessions facilitate diverse jam sessions and rhythmic exchange.
 
Each Friday evening 4.30-7pm from November 18th to December 16th, a special outdoor stage at the Arts Centre’s Curve Bar will venture into experimental sounds, and explorations into traditional worldwide rhythms. It will resonate with the vibrations of the Japanese Shamisen, funky Afro-Beat and Ethio-Jazz, Portuguese Fado, Greek melodies and old school rhythm and blues. The Visible Sessions showcase Melbourne’s diversity and ever-evolving culture and highlights the contribution our new communities are having on contemporary Australian arts and culture.
 
November 18th – East West Australian Blues – Noriko Tadano & Collard Greens and Gravy
East and West unite under a groove of rhythm and blues, jamming together in the land down under.
 
This Event is part of the Australasian World Music Expo
 
November 25th – Adventures in Sound – Rowan McNaught & Sam Szoke-Burke vs. Vinod Prasanna & Lavender vs. Rose & Tenzing Yeshi
New vs. old, traditional vs. technology and cross-cultural sounds intertwine as experimental meets the ancient sounds of the East.
 
December 2nd – Songs of Yearning – Carolina Cordiero & Polixeni
The yearning voice of the Portuguese Fado and the melancholic tone of Greek melodies, instil a nostalgic sentiment for a land lost and memories faded and distant.
 
December 9th – Globalised and Mobilised Rhythms and Dance – Child Survivors Showcase & La Descarga ft. African Star Dance and Drumming & the Polynesian Log Drummers
Hip Hop, Afro-root rhythms, Latin progressions, and traditional Polynesian log drumming interweave and pay tribute to a long history of worldwide human movement, travelling sounds and cultural fusions.
 
December 16th- Finely Ground Afro-Root Sounds – J-Azmaris & Big Fela
Paying tribute to a generation of Afro-Beat and Ethio-Jazz legends, who instilled traditional jazz and funk styles with an Afro-flavour, powerful horn lines and unique scale structures.

http://www.multiculturalarts.com.au/events2011/visible_sessions.shtml

Gala Dinner
Saturday, 14th January 2012

Laugh the night away with Stephen K Amos and enjoy an event that you wont want to miss. Join us in the Ballroom of the Park Hyatt Hotel for “The Skin I’m In” Gala Dinner. A prestigious event to honour and celebrate our black culture and heritage and the first event of its kind in Australia. With an evening of entertainment, inspiration, fine dining, cocktails and drinks, let us come together and share this special evening.

Please note that this is an advance ticket only event and due to the Christmas period and the need to confirm numbers with the venue in good time, we respectfully request that (if you have not already done so) you purchase your tickets, no later than 5 December 2011.

For further details and ticket purchases please go to www.skinimin.com.au

We look forward to sharing this special night with you!
 
Blessings
“The Skin I’m In” Team

Starting on 11th October-16th, Arts Projects Australia, Andrew Kay, Liza McLean and David Vigo in association with Melbourne Festival presents Mozart’s The Magic Flute (Impempe Yomlingo). Founding Producer Eric Abraham & Isango Ensemble

Infusing this joyous opera with the distinctive sound and beat of South African instrumentation, the world-famous Isango Ensemble have breathed new life into Mozart’s timeless opera.

This earthy, arresting adaptation has earned huge critical acclaim worldwide, garnering the Globe de Cristal award for Best Opera in Paris at the Théâtre de Châtelet, and an Olivier Award and a Theatre Goers’ Choice Award in London.

Audiences have been exhilarated by this celebratory and uplifting work of the spirit – one that which speaks directly out of the townships, and yet still bursts with the truth, immediacy and lyrical essence of Mozart’s masterpiece.

Isango Ensemble’s playful musical flourishes abound: Papagano’s flute is instead a jazzy trumpet while marimbas and other traditional African instruments send liquid tremors through the score, creating a vibrant, enchanting and deeply percussive musical theatre.

Jubilantly theatrical and gloriously energetic, this unforgettable production perfectly captures the joy and exuberance of Mozart’s extraordinary work.

Performed in English and Xhosa

Dates &Times
Tue 11 – Sat 15 Oct, 7.30pm
Sat 15 – Sun 16 Oct, 1.30pm
2 hours 15 minutes including interval

Pricing
Premium: $149.90
Full: $99.90 – $129.90
Concession: $74.90 – $97.40
Student: $25
Groups 8+: $116.90

Booking
Book Now theartscentre.com.au
By phone: 1300 182 183

For more theartscentre.com.au

Read an interview with director Mark Dornford-May on the latest AfricanOZ in Print Spring 2011 issue!