Preview: Renowned trumpeter, Fezile ‘Feya’ Faku gig in Cape Town, January 2023

Preview: Renowned trumpeter, Fezile ‘Feya’ Faku gig in Cape Town, January 29, 2023- presented by the Cape Town Music Academy (CTMA)

Thrilling news to start off 2023, is that celebrated trumpeter, Fezile ‘Feya’ Faku is playing one gig at Gallery South, a boutique museum and gallery representing politically and spiritually rich work by South African visual art masters who were largely ignored during the Apartheid years, alongside curated contemporary exhibitions of internationally prominent and emerging artists from Johannesburg, Venda and the Southern Africa. Feya Faku’s concert is being presented by The Cape Town Music Academy (CTMA) which has been doing sterling work in promoting legends such as Faku and also providing a platform for emerging musicians. Faku will be accompanied by a superb lineup of jazz musicians, including Lonwabo Diba Mafani (piano), Buddy Wells (tenor saxophone), Wesley Rustin (bass) and Josh Klein (drums). There is ample street parking in the vicinity of Gallery South, sited in beautiful Muizenberg. The gallery interior is stylish and makes for a wonderful venue for music- surrounded by art works on the walls. It is envisaged that Feya Faku’s gig, will be the start of jazz and music events at this trailblazing venue. Info as supplied:

FEYA FAKU- live in Cape Town, January 2023

Celebrated trumpet Fezile ‘Feya’ Faku is playing a gig in Cape Town with superb local jazz musicians including pianist Lonwabo Diba Mafani, saxophonist Buddy Wells, Wesley Rustin on bass and drummer, Josh Klein, on Sunday 29January, at Gallery South from 3pm, in Muizenberg. The concert is being presented by The Cape Town Music Academy (CTMA). Gallery South is a boutique museum and gallery  representing  politically and spiritually  rich work by South African art masters who were largely ignored during the Apartheid years, alongside curated contemporary exhibition of internationally prominent and emerging artists from Johannesburg, Venda and the Southern Africa.

About the Cape Town Music Academy (CTMA)

Feya Faku’s concert in Cape Town are supported by the Cape Town Music Academy (CTMA) which creates opportunities for local emerging and established musicians through programs and collaborative events.

About Fezile ‘Feya’ Faku:

Feya Faku biography- copyright: from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University:

Fezile ‘Feya’ Faku is a trumpet and flugel horn player born in New Brighton, Port Elizabeth. He started playing the trumpet at a late stage of his life without any formal teaching or training. He learnt how to play with help and coaching from various local musicians, many of whom were saxophonists rather than trumpeters, which may have inadvertently contributed to Feya’s unique playing style.

In 1988 Feya enrolled at the University of Natal to study music with financial assistance from NADEL (National Association of Democratic Lawyers) and under the guidance of acclaimed musician Darius Brubeck, graduated in 1992 with a university diploma in Jazz Studies. It was in Durban that Fezile’s career as a jazz artist began to blossom as he and his fellow musicians backed and accompanied the cream of South African music including Mankunku Ngozi, Thandie Klassen, Pat Matshikiza and Barney Rachabane to name  a few.

His debut was with the Durban-based group, Counter Culture led by US saxophonist Chris Merz. Subsequently, Feya has travelled, performed and recorded extensively in South Africa and abroad with the likes of Abdullah Ibrahim, Bheki Mseleku, Mankunku Ngozi and in the Netherlands with the saxophonist Paul van Kemenade, and his Quintet. In Switzerland, he performed with the Swiss South African Quintet which he leads with the South African exile drummer Makaya Ntshoko who left SA in 1962, the year Feya was born!

He has worked in Eastern and Western Europe, North and South America, Cuba and Japan and his well-known album, Hommage was recorded following a cultural exchange programme in Holland.  In 2006, Feya was Artist in Residence at the famous Birds Eye Jazz Club in Basel, Switzerland, working with students from the University of Basel as well as other local musicians.  A hallmark of Feya’s tour and concert programme is to conduct workshops with aspiring musicians – giving back of what he loves so much.

His vision at the moment is to do an Eastern Cape tour and do performances and workshops in the townships – more specifically in disadvantaged areas – and share both his life and musical experiences and how music, especially jazz, has saved his life and moulded him as the talented musician and composer that he is. For his contribution to society through his music and educational workshops, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University is honoured to present Feya Faku with the Council Prestige Award.

Feya Faku biography- copyright: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Used, as supplied.

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