Tribute paid to trumpeter and flugelhornist Fezile 'Feya' Faku
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. He 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.
His debut was with the Durban-based group Counter Culture led by US saxophonist Chris Merz. Feya travelled, performed and recorded extensively in South Africa and abroad with the likes of Abdullah Ibrahim, Bheki Mseleku, Mankunku Ngozi, including the Netherlands with the saxophonist Paul van Kemenade and his quintet. In Switzerland, he performed with the Swiss South African Quintet which he led with exiled drummer Makaya Ntshoko who left South Africa in 1962, the year Feya was born.
He worked in Eastern and Western Europe, North and South America, Cuba and Japan and his well-known album Hommage was recorded after being part of 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 and other local musicians.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald
an hour ago
- The Herald
Sips 'n Sounds introduces Avondale in perfect music and wine pairing
When guests exit a wine tasting with a spring in their step, swaying and humming snatches of catchy songs, the reason is usually predictable — but not so at a wine tasting with a difference at the PE St George's Club earlier this week. Here the swaying was the inevitable result of two hours spent in the musical company of father-daughter duo Andre Strydom and Caron Strydom at a 'Sips 'n Sounds' event to introduce Avondale wines to local wine lovers. The Strydoms are well known on local musical stages, and now Caron has brought her entertainment flair into her business as representative of a number of boutique wine brands. A former maths and science teacher, she aims for wine tastings to be educational but non-intimidating, with the addition of music making for a relaxed, fun and interactive experience. The concept is catching on, with this week's second edition of Sips 'n Sounds at the Bird Street Club sold out within hours. A loose theme of dreams and nature in songs from the '60s through to the '90s helped to tell the story of Avondale Estate on the fynbos-covered slopes of the Klein Drakenstein in Paarl, a pioneer of certified organic, biodynamic farming and sustainability in the SA wine industry. As proprietor Johnathan Grieve puts it: 'We regard our wine estate as a dynamic living system where all its elements form part of a complex web of relationships that are interconnected and interdependent.' The elements extend from care of the soil, encouraging wildlife and biodiversity in the vineyards and the vegetable gardens that supply the award-winning FABER restaurant, flocks of ducks that control vineyard pests, to preserving and upgrading the farm's heritage buildings dating back to the 1700s. To the gentle sounds of What a Wonderful World and Mr Bojangles , we tasted the Armilla Blanc de Blanc Cap Classique 2017, a superb bubbly made from 100% chardonnay and matured for seven years on the lees, making for an intricate balance of fresh crispness and rich creaminess. Anima Chenin Blanc 2022 has soft creaminess from time on the lees and gentle wood maturation, the wine soft and supple with unfolding layers of rich fruit flavours, a touch of honey balanced with a fresh mineral streak. One for the lovers of a more serious chenin. Camissa 2024 blends bold flavourful grenache, mourvèdre and muscat de frontignan into a delicate pink that's richly aromatic with roses and Turkish delight, fresh red fruits balanced with lemon zest for a delicious, crisp and dry blanc de noir. Qvevri Red 2023, pronounced 'kway-vree', is a soft, savoury blend of grenache, syrah and mourvèdre made in qvevri, large underground clay vessels first used in the birthplace of wine, Georgia, 8 000 years ago. These are modern versions, of course, with Avondale the first in SA to use them. The highly porous clay brings earthiness and minerality to the wine's succulent red berries and florals woven through spicy notes. In the spirit of the evening's non-technical approach to wine, my tasting notes are summed up in one word — 'fabulous!' Samsara 2018 encapsulates all that is best about a syrah that is serious but smoothly easy to drink — vibrantly fruity with typical notes of violets, white pepper and warm spices, firm tannins and a deeply lingering finish. With the musical tempo shifting upwards as we moved through the wine flight, an ending in a rousing, foot-tapping, shoulder-grooving Bee Gees medley lingered, because no performance by Andre Strydom is complete without his mastery of the Barry Gibb falsetto. Mostly priced upwards of R300, these wines are not a cheap date, but well worth it for wines of distinctiveness, superb quality and the intention and attention to detail, blending tradition and science, that goes into growing and making them. Avondale wines aren't available on local shelves (yet), but orders can be placed via Kobus Gerber at the PE St George's Club — email manager@ Follow Goodnight Productions on Facebook for Caron's next Sips 'n Sounds and other musically-themed wine events. The Herald
The South African
17 hours ago
- The South African
The AVBOB Poetry Competition opens for a ninth year
The AVBOB Poetry Competition will return for its ninth year on 1 August 2025. The competition encourages South Africans, young and old, to put pen to paper and share words of love, hope, and healing. This year's theme is 'I wish I'd said…'. Poets may enter up to 10 poems. They can also choose from any of the nation's 11 official written languages. Entries are open until 30 November. Carl van der Riet, AVBOB CEO, expresses the competition's mission simply. 'We want to give every South African a chance to find and share their best words. Each poem adds to an ongoing conversation, drawing us closer to understanding ourselves and each other.' He adds, 'Poetry helps us when we are lost for words. At those moments, it offers images and gestures to steady us.' This year, the stakes are high. The first-place winner in each language will receive a total of R 12,500. This includes R 10,000 in cash, a R 2,500 book voucher, and the coveted AVBOB Poetry Trophy. Poets whose work is published in the AVBOB Poetry Library will also receive a R300 publication fee. Competition guidelines are straightforward. Submit your poems through the online dashboard at A panel of judges will select the strongest entries in each language. The top three poems per language will be featured in the annual printed anthology. All shortlisted poems will be translated into English. 'Translation brings voices together – it encourages understanding and fellow-feeling among South Africans,' says a member of the organising team. New and aspiring poets can take advantage of the AVBOB Poetry website's free resources. Expert advice, guidance from editors, and stories about past winners can help entrants polish their submissions. Judges share tips and pointers, and the social media channels provide updates about free online workshops. These workshops, running throughout the submission period and beyond, are a platform for learning and growth. 'It's wonderful to see participants coming with their own stories and leaving with new skills and inspiration,' says a workshop facilitator. The AVBOB Poetry Competition has become a staple in the country's cultural calendar. It stands as a testament to the healing and unifying force of poetry. Carl van der Riet sums up its impact, saying, 'Every year the generosity of entries moves us.' Entrants share themselves with honesty and courage. The competition archives poems from across South Africa and creates a living record. It is an open invitation to continue the conversation together.' Entries are open now until 30 November. All South Africans are welcome to find a voice, write, and share their words. You could be the next winner. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
17 hours ago
- The Citizen
Mango Groove brings its 40th anniversary party to Jozi after an ‘overwhelming' response in Cape Town
Established in 1984, Mango Groove has gripped South African hearts through song for more than four decades. Mango Groove is bringing its 40th anniversary to Johannesburg after a good run in Cape Town earlier this year. 'Kirstenbosch was such a special and moving show for us,' says lead singer Claire Johnston. Established in 1984, the ensemble has gripped South African hearts through song for more than four decades. To celebrate the milestone, Mango Groove first performed a one-night only show at Cape Town's Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in January and now the show is coming to Joburg in September. 'The response was overwhelming and affirmed that this is something we had to bring home to Jozi. After considering many venues, we knew the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens was the perfect choice – family-friendly, stunningly beautiful and ideal for a day under our blue African skies,' Johnston said. ALSO READ: Mango Groove celebrates 40 years of 'Memories and Moments' at one-night-only event in Cape Town Coming to Joburg The Joburg concert will mirror the Kirstenbosch production while adding unique touches and surprises exclusive to the Jozi edition. These include special guest performances from former Prime Circle frontman Ross Learmonth and Majozi, a dazzling visual production and the Special Star dancers. 'This isn't just a concert. It's a moving celebration of our country and the journey we've all shared. It's about joy, connection and the power of music to bring people together,' Johnston said. Before there was a Freshlyground or Kujenga, there was the 11-piece band Mango Groove. Mango Groove has remained consistent in its output over the years and managed to stay relevant in an oversaturated live music space. 'The essence of Mango Groove is what the live show is. It's very much about the live music and the live experience. In a way, the whole market has changed now,' said the band's founding member John Leyden speaking to the Mail & Guardian about a decade ago. 'We have never stopped performing, but we are very selective of the shows we do. There is a danger of that in the South African market — that is very small — you can overstay your welcome. So we tend to perform two shows in a year.' NOW READ: Gregory Maqoma on portraying one of his ancestors on 'Shaka iLembe'
