Malombo milestone to be celebrated at State Theatre as outfit turns 60
By Funeka Bambalele
Legendary outfit Malombo Jazzmen celebrates 60years of existence and the only surviving member of the band, Abbey Cindi wants to mark the milestone memorable with a performance at State Theatre in Pretoria on Friday, September 20.
Cindi who turns 87 next month will be joined on stage by son of the late music legend Phillip Tabane, Thabang Tabane. Cindi will be backed by vocalist Zodwa Mabena, Lally Tshabalala (bass), Given Sithole (piano), Elvis Teakay (acoustic guitar), S’khumbuzo Mbhele (drums) and Motshepe Kgawane (percussions). What makes this performance even more special is that the performance will take place at Malombo Theatre, inside State Theatre.
Malombo Jazzmen was founded in 1964 by Phillip Tabane, Abbey Cindi and Julian Bahule. After members split, Cindi founded Malombo Jazz Makers in early 1965 with Lucky Ranku and later they were joined by Bahule who left Tabane alone in the band.
Malombo became renowned as one of the first South African bands to fully connect jazz with the African traditions. Despite Cindi’s age, the legend still blows a storm with his flute, pennywhistle composing music and performing live. CityLife Arts visited Cindi on Tuesday during rehearsals at the State Theatre. He performed four songs including a blues song.
The energy that the old man oozes on stage is amazing and makes one look forward to his Friday performance. Fans of Malombo Jazz Makers and Malombo Jazzmen will be taken to memory lane on Friday.
Cindi talks about his upcoming performance, “On Friday I am celebrating the whole concept of Malombo which is Malombo Jazzmen and Malombo Jazz Makers. Furthermore, this marks the revival of Malombo Jazz Makers which I last performed under its name in 1967. I have decided to revive Jazz Makers because I have piles of songs that I composed while the group was still active. I have realised that if I don’t release this music, it will never see the light of the day since no one is interested in reviving Malombo as a concept.”
“I have brought in Thabang because we began the Malombo journey with his father Phillip. I’m looking forward to entertaining music lovers. What pleases me is the group of young people that I will be playing with. I plan to use the same group as I revive Malombo Jazz Makers.”
After all these years, Cindi is still passionate about his craft. His secret of longevity, according to him, is that music chose him from as early as the age of 13. He was influenced by groups such as SA Manhattan Brothers. He was also inspired by American jazz groups Harlem Brothers and Ink Spots, which were in the 1940s and 1950s.
Cindi shares that when they started in the music industry it was never about money. In the early 1960s, they performed at parties, weddings and school events for free and sometimes for a mere plate of ginger biscuits and a glass of a cold drink.