Helen Sung & NuGenerations on the Rhythm Road...

End of the Rhythm Road

2009-05-25T21:45:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that our 2009 Rhythm Road in southern Africa has come to an end. Helen Sung & NuGenerations, with Lonnie Plaxico (bass); Quincy Davis (drums); and Saundra Silliman (vocals) want to thank everyone at the US State Department, including the PAOs & CAOs in Africa, the ambassadors & their spouses, all the staff, the Jazz at Lincoln Center folks - Monak, Shana, Colleen, and Jean, y'all are the best!

Also, many thanks to Alexis Ortiz, who put together a fabulous tour; and Susan Johns, who traveled with us the first week and helped us acclimate to everything. You ladies rock!!

The band with Carl (drummer) at the airport getting ready to leave...we hope to return soon!

Public Garden and final glimpses

2009-05-25T21:14:00.001-07:00

Cape Town is so pretty, here are some more snapshots...

At the Public Rose Garden:

Good night, sleep tight...

Happy Feet :)

2009-05-25T20:35:00.000-07:00

Penguins!

2009-05-25T19:07:00.000-07:00

Back in Swaziland, we were told by Mrs. Parker (wife of US Ambassador to Swaziland Maurice Parker) that there were penguins near Cape Town. Because of their braying, they're called jackass penguins(!). Having always associated penguins with icy conditions (i.e. March of the Penguins, or Happy Feet), I was very curious to see them. On Saturday May 23, our last full day in Cape Town, I took the train down the coast to Simon's Town, where there is a penguin sanctuary at Boulders Beach...all I can say is, WOW!

The train ride south afforded some spectacular views of False Bay:

Boulders Beach was strewn with boulders of all shapes & sizes...penguin sighting!

Watching penguins hangin' out at the beach...I wonder if they prefer the sand or the boulders?

It's baby season, so there were mothers sitting on eggs, little ones trying out their new voices, and cute pictures like these:

University of Cape Town

2009-05-25T18:09:00.001-07:00

Our stay in Capetown coincided with the 10th Anniversary of the Cape Town Big Band Festival. Produced by the fabulous Anne Barr, the May 22 evening concert at the funky Baxter Theatre showcases student big bands. Earlier that afternoon, NuGenerations gave a free public concert, and then we scattered: Saundra and I joined in the inaugural meeting of "Sisters in Sound" and talked/worked with young women music students/musicians, while Lonnie & Quincy conducted a bass & drum workshop.

Free afternoon concert & workshops by NuGenerations at UCT...

Sisters in Sound workshop...

Some young instrumentalists & singers-to-be?

Evening concert in Baxter Theatre:

Capetown Big Band Festival Concert excerpts

UCT musicians sit in w/NuGenerations

Funky lighting!

BUSH RADIO

2009-05-25T17:49:00.000-07:00

Would you believe one of the major community radio stations in Capetown is called...BUSH Radio? Nigel Vermaas (one of their stalwart DJs who has been around to see a lot of great musicians and hear their music) was kind enough to interview NuGenerations and the US Public Affairs Officer Mark Canning for his show on May 22, Friday morning.

Nigel and Helen after the interview...

US Asst. PAO Officer Mark Canning

Sights & Sounds of Cape Town

2009-05-25T17:18:00.000-07:00

Down in the Victoria & Alfred waterfront district, there was the high-end V & A mall along with a bustling promenade area. Enjoy this free concert excerpt!

Quincy said the fringe of trees on the mountain crest looked like a line of elephants...coool.

Cape-Tonians call the clouds that often enshroud the surrounding peaks a tablecloth.

3 day weekend!

2009-05-25T17:15:00.000-07:00

If this means we get an extra weekend day, I'm all for it!

Puppy love

2009-05-25T14:23:00.000-07:00

We were told people in southern Africa love their pets, and it was confirmed by the numerous veterinary clinics and pet stores we saw. When this baby Rottweiler (who knew they could be so sweet?) showed up at the Mannenberg workshop, we (at least Saundra and I) fell in love!

Rock out!

2009-05-25T14:17:00.000-07:00

The end of the tour is near and we're feelin' crazy, and since the piano is the fairest instrument of them all (haha!), our wonderful drummer Quincy Davis & bassist Lonnie Plaxico can't help but rock out on the keyz as the stage was being set up for our Mannenberg workshop - yeaaah baby!

Mannenberg - the Mamela Project

2009-05-25T14:11:00.000-07:00

Our 2nd workshop on May 21 was hosted by the Mamela Project (a non-profit that promotes music as an alternative to violence, gangs, drugs, and other self-destructive practices) at Edenvale Primary School in the Mannenberg township. Our embassy driver Carl Isaacs is the drummer (how cool is that!) in this fine band led by Charles Louw, the pianist and composer of these two tunes they performed. GO Mariana on the euphonium!

Drummer talk - Quincy & Carl

Townships

2009-05-25T13:47:00.000-07:00

We especially enjoy visits to townships. Not only are they an ongoing reminder of African history and of serious issues that need to be addressed, some of the most vibrant people and music reside in them. It was an honor to the spend time on Wednesday, May 21, with folks at the Nyanga Arts Development Center, and with musicians in Mannenberg, home to some of South Africa's most honored jazz musicians, including saxophonist Basil Coatzee.

At Nyanga, we were welcomed with a spontaneous concert & dance. Lonnie joined in on the bass and Saundra joined in on the dance floor!

Jam session!

Group photo!

Shades of San Francisco & A Reception

2009-05-25T13:41:00.000-07:00

The parallels are striking - there's the waterfront, the mountains, the fog, even sea lions (but w/an added attraction of penguins here...more on that later!) and the sparkling sunshine that gives everything an irresistable glow.

Paul Patin, who to Helen's delight is also a native Houstonian, is the PAO in Cape Town. He hosted a reception the evening of May 20 at his residence, bringing together local musicians, promoters, and UCT faculty.

Paul, Mike Rossi (UCT), & Quincy

Helen, Nigel Vermaas (BUSH Radio), and Mark Canning (Asst PAO)

Rashid Lombard (Capetown Jazz Festival), Lonnie, and Mike

Mike & Helen play a song for the guests...

Anne Barr, producer of the Cape Town Big Band Festival

Last stop, Cape Town!

2009-05-25T13:34:00.001-07:00

It's hard to believe NuGenerations' Rhythm Road is in its last week, and everyone we've met in Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Namibia, and Jo'burg says Capetown is the best! What do y'all think?

P.S. Many thanks to the Embassy for housing us in the beautiful Waterfront Area!

Goodnight, Jo'burg

2009-05-25T13:31:00.001-07:00

Johannesburg weather is what Paradise must be like...nearly perfect year round with a strong yet mellow sun, pure blue skies, refreshing breezes. We bid farewell to Jo'burg (or Jozi, as they say here) with these snapshots of a picture perfect dusk...

The Rosebank Hotel where we stayed was a lot of fun...some shots of their lobby bar. Ooolala!

CAFCA Music School

2009-05-25T12:47:00.000-07:00

Spearheaded by Jesse Mogale, the wonderful CAFCA Music School was established by professional musicians and music teachers to offer Mamelodi (Pretoria's largest township) youth the opportunity to explore music and gain experience through consistent, structured music instruction. We were delighted by the young people, whose achievement is a testament to their dedicated teachers.

Workshoppin'

2009-05-25T12:28:00.001-07:00

May 19, our last day in Johannesburg, was spent doing workshops with university music students at Pretoria's Tshwane University, and then with youth at the CAFCA Music School in Mamelodi (Pretoria's largest township). It is difficult to witness extreme disparity in access to resources and instruments, but it is very inspiring to see hope, joy, and musical gifts shining through undiminished.

Tshwane University students perform...

Workin' out the groove...

Post-workshop shot with Tshwane University piano students!

More at the Music Academy of Gauteng

2009-05-18T17:34:00.000-07:00

Performing for the students...

Jam on!

Music Academy of Gauteng

2009-05-18T17:23:00.000-07:00

The charismatic Johnny Mekoa and his indefatigable staff at the Music Academy of Gauteng hosted us today (May 18) for a workshop, private instruction w/the students, and closing jam session. In the video they're playing a S.African standard called "Tshwane".

The Bassline Club

2009-05-18T17:13:00.000-07:00

Perhaps Joburg's most storied music club, we had a great time performing the weekend of May 15-16 at the Bassline! Salim Washington and his great band of S. African musicians opened the show for us, and afterwards we got to hang out with some students from Mamelodi's CAFCA Music School. We look forward to our workshop with them on Tues May 19!

Johannesburg

2009-05-18T16:50:00.000-07:00

Storied Johannesburg! We're staying in a fun hotel in the Rosebank neighborhood. Here are sights & sounds from the Sunday, May 17, African Crafts Market at the nearby Rosebank mall.

Onward to South Africa

2009-05-18T16:46:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe we've reached the last leg of our Rhythm Road tour. South Africa here we come! Here's an aerial shot of the Kalahari Desert en route...

The usual suspects

2009-05-18T16:43:00.001-07:00

At the airport with the Windhoek crew - Chris, Henoch, and PAO Ray Castillo. We thank them for showing us a terrific time in Namibia!

Scenic Windhoek

2009-05-18T16:40:00.000-07:00

Some parting shots...

Playing Pool

2009-05-14T11:45:00.000-07:00

One thing we love about the Rhythm Road is the opportunity to hang out with local musicians. There was a fabulous pool table at the Ambassador's, and like any musician-on-the-road, we couldn't resist. Altho it wasn't documented, I have to say Helen won in a head-to-head duel with Lonnie in the first game(!). Here, Quincy and Lonnie go at it, while the members of Vocal Motion 6, Saundra, and Helen look on...

Final evening in Windhoek

2009-05-14T11:23:00.000-07:00

We performed a concert at the US Ambassador's our last evening in Windhoek. Vocal Motion 6 again opened the concert for us by singing both the Namibian and US national anthems. They were so terrific - here is their performance!

College of the Arts choir in Windhoek

2009-05-14T10:46:00.000-07:00

A vocal workshop at the College of the Arts (their excellent mixed choir opened the 2nd half of our concert at the National Theater). Here their director is warming them up for NuGenerations' Saundra Silliman.

Penduka

2009-05-13T14:58:00.000-07:00

Penduka is a community established by a Dutch lady for African women (giving preference to those who have a disability), where they learn skills like recycling glass to make jewelry, sewing/embroidery, pottery, batik, etc. - all of which help them to achieve economic independence and a strong sense of self-worth and strength. The sign on the door is kind of hard to read, but "penduka" means to "wake up" and epitomizes the vision of the community. Great stuff!

Driving thru Katatura

2009-05-13T14:48:00.000-07:00

Katatura

2009-05-13T14:30:00.001-07:00

Taking advantage of a free morning, Saundra and Helen took a guided tour of the township Katatura. It's hard to imagine that Namibia only just got its independence and was freed from the apartheid system in 1990. Katatura is where the colored and black Namibians of Windhoek were forced to dwell during apartheid. It is a vibrant and growing community - nearly half the total population of Windhoek resides in the different neighborhoods of Katatura. We're grateful we had a chance to experience this part of Windhoek!

This monument commemorates the 13 Namibians (& the German who helped draft their formal statements) who lost their lives marching in protest against apartheid in 1959.

Dried frogs or fish, anyone?

Scenes from a local market & open-air butchery. We were told

parliament members stand in line on weekends for the BBQ beef here (we tried a piece, it was delicious!). Namibian beef is some of the best in the world - their cows, oryx, and springbok are free range, and get to graze and eat grass!

Snapshots of Katatura...

Scenes of Namibia

2009-05-13T14:25:00.000-07:00

Namibia is incredibly beautiful, one simply has to share such photos. Here are some city shots, and one of the local grasshoppers. We were greeted by a horde when we got off the airplane - it was a challenge not to step on one as we walked on the tarmac to the terminal...ugh!

History

2009-05-13T14:22:00.000-07:00

It's very cool to know that we are part of the US Jazz Ambassador Program, and now Rhythm Road, history here in Namibia - check out this sign at a local novelty restaurant called...Joe's Beerhaus, of all things!

Soukous Lesson

2009-05-12T14:16:00.000-07:00

The exchange of musical ideas and knowledge is a wonderful thing...

National Theatre of Namibia

2009-05-11T16:39:00.000-07:00

It was an honor to play in Namibia's National Theatre on Sunday, May 10 (Happy Mother's Day!!). The concert posters lining the walls tell a fascinating story and history. We also loved the mixed choir from the College of the Arts and a vocal group called Vocal Motion 6 who opened each half of the concert for us. Such warm, joyful, and talented singers...I'm only sorry that we didn't have our cameras on hand to show you their performance. Here's the band havin' some fun after the concert...strike that pose!

A Night at the Warehouse

2009-05-11T16:16:00.000-07:00

Run by the indefatigable Ernst (who used to work at the National Theatre of Namibia...more on that, next!), the Warehouse is a wonderfully laid-back, funky club. The fabulous Erna Chimu band opened for us on Saturday night, May 9 (hanging out beforehand in the Green Room, it was exciting to learn about their soukous music). Best wishes to the Warehouse and all the folks who help make it the music club in Windhoek!

Onward to Windhoek, Namibia

2009-05-11T16:11:00.001-07:00

Another jewel in Africa's crown, Namibia has a strong German influence in its architecture, cityscape, and food. A fascinating mix, and a lovely people. Enjoy this Namibian sunset...

NuGenerations on Safari!

2009-05-11T16:06:00.000-07:00

Did I mention we visited Swaziland's Hlane Royal National Park? US Ambassador Parker called it a gem. We wholeheartedly agree!

House-on-Fire

2009-05-11T15:57:00.000-07:00

A venue that's described as a ongoing work of art, Swaziland's House-on-Fire was the hotspot (there were indoor firepots everywhere!) that Thursday night, May 7...maybe the heat got to our cinematographer in this clip... :)

Some pics of House-On-Fire, the Swazi cowboys (who serenaded the crowd with a couple of songs), and adorable young folks who attended the show:

And of course...can't miss the after party!

Workshop & Cowboys

2009-05-11T15:42:00.000-07:00

The lighting's dim inside Mbabane's Theatre Club, but these sweet kids and Swazi cowboys(!!) lit up the room!

A moment in Mbabane

2009-05-11T15:38:00.000-07:00

The folks in Mbabane were beautiful - here's a moment with some folks in the downtown area...

Snapshots of Swaziland

2009-05-11T15:32:00.001-07:00

The Kingdom of Swaziland

2009-05-10T15:00:00.000-07:00

We fell in love with Swaziland! Mountain vistas, valleys, rocky crags...who knew southern Africa had this variety of terrain? Our base was the city of Mbabane. Here's a photo of the band w/US Ambassador Maurice Parker after an evening concert at his residence. A true jazz fan, his LP collection is to die for!

Farewell to Harare and HIFA

2009-05-09T09:35:00.001-07:00

Thank you, HIFA - it was a festival we'll never forget! A special shout out to Saranna, Clifton, Kingdom, Rue, Christianu, Blanc-Blanc, and all the fabulous HIFA staff...

La Rumbe

2009-05-09T07:57:00.000-07:00

This band was so terrific, one of my favorites from HIFA Festival. Hailing from Spain (& Colombia), La Rumbe is among the vanguard of Spanish Rumba today...ole!!

Musicians' Hang

2009-05-09T07:11:00.000-07:00

The Book Cafe of Harare, run by the wonderful Penny, is an arts centre, cafe, and bookshop, and a meeting point for artists. In addition, it's next door to the historic Mannenberg Jazz Club. Here's a melange of the afternoon workshop & jam session...

HIFA Workshop...

2009-05-09T03:22:00.000-07:00

...at the Zimbabwe National Gallery of Art. It was the final day of the amazing HIFA festival, and we had a great time presenting a workshop for local musicians and festival attendees.

We're baaaack...

2009-05-09T03:19:00.000-07:00

Survived 4-5 days without internet...so much to catch up on. The Kingdom of Swaziland is an incredible place and we're so glad to have had a chance to experience the people and culture. But before we do that, some final thoughts from Zimbabwe!

Caterpillar

2009-05-03T18:30:00.000-07:00

Susan and Saundra sample the local fare...

Performance at the Ambassador's Residence

2009-05-03T17:54:00.000-07:00

It's kinda dark, but I promise we're there...our first official concert was on Thurs, April 30, at the US Ambassador's (James McGee) residence in Harare. Some sound-bytes...

Kids having fun...

2009-05-03T16:21:00.001-07:00

Kids making music

2009-05-03T16:13:00.000-07:00

Some music by the youth at Young Africa Skills Center...a wonderful post-workshop treat!

Young Africa Skills Center in Chitungwiza

2009-04-30T18:01:00.000-07:00

What a pleasure it was to have a workshop with the youth at Chitungwiza's Young Africa Skills Center. We talked about swing, 12/8 triplet rhythms, how the two grooves make you move; how to sing along to Prince's Alphabet St; and gave them a chance to improvise. The kids were fantastic, inspiring, and the experience incredibly moving. Here are some snapshots of our day.

HIFA-mania!

2009-04-30T17:51:00.000-07:00

In the spirit of "Wally", recognize anyone from NuGenerations in the Monomopata Crowne Plaza Hotel lobby ? :)

First day of activities...

2009-04-29T18:35:00.000-07:00

Our work begins April 30, Thursday, with a workshop at the young Africa Skills Center (www.youngafrica.org) in the township of Chitungwiza, followed by a performance at the U.S. Ambassador's residence. Here we go!

Roots 'n' Music

2009-04-29T18:28:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful day in Harare, and the beautiful sounds and sights continue. This one is courtesy of the fabulous Gangbe Brass Band from Benin. So much of the music we have in the Americas have their roots here - it's truly ear-opening to hear & see it in person. Enjoy!

Sights & Sounds in Harare, Zimbabwe

2009-04-29T03:30:00.001-07:00

After 4 flights totaling 27 hours (whew), we are in Africa: Harare, Zimbabwe, to be exact! In addition to the US Embassy events, we'll be performing at the Harare International Festival of the Arts (www.hifa.co.zw), now in its 10th year of bringing together artists from all over the world performing music including traditional music of Zimbabwe (& other African nations), Afro-pop, Afro-jazz, jazz, funk, and even classical opera & chamber music (I can hear it outside my hotel room right now!). It's a beautiful day so we gotta get in it! For your viewing/listening pleasure, check out the video clip from last night...

T-minus 4 days to Africa!

2009-04-23T23:49:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe we're leaving on Monday, April 27, for Africa. Africa! Zimbabwe, Namibia, Swaziland, and South Africa. Have no idea what to expect, probably something overwhelming and transformative. NuGenerations is setting out on the Rhythm Road!