Articles

Creative Code – an inspiring afternoon at Ikamva Youth Makhaza Township. Cape Town

2014-05-24T13:54:58+02:00

Public Speaking and Presentation Workshop: “Creative Coders”

Preparing the “Creative Coders” from Ikamva Youth.
I spent a great afternoon at one of Cpae Town’s most successful community education projects, Ikamva Youth, by presenting a workshop in public speaking: helping by coaching the speakers – refining the pitch, presentation and public speaking – in preparation for their pitch for funding from World Design Capital Cape Town 2014.

Countdown to the presentation on 27 May at the Pavilion Clocktower Conference Center, V&A Waterfront.

Participants: Marion Walton, Albert Combrink, Zukile Keswa and learners

Inspiring young people. Insipring Ideas. [read more…]

Creative Code – an inspiring afternoon at Ikamva Youth Makhaza Township. Cape Town2014-05-24T13:54:58+02:00

Pedacito de cielo: CT Tango Ensemble LIVE (Artscape 2014)

2014-05-13T10:12:35+02:00

Tengo un paraíso con tus besos, Tengo un pedacito de este cielo – I have a small piece of the sky, I have paradise in your kisses

LISTEN: The delightful Tango Vals Pedacito de cielo (Music by Francini & Stamponi and lyrics by Homero Expósito) performed by Juan Simon & CT Tango Ensemble during a live performance at Artscape Theater. It was recorded on their 3rd CD Tango Dreams.

Juan Simon & CT Tango Ensemble: Stanislav Angelov – Bandoneon & Accordeon / Albert Combrink – Piano / Petrus de Beer – Violin / Carles Lazar – Double Bass [read more…]

Pedacito de cielo: CT Tango Ensemble LIVE (Artscape 2014)2014-05-13T10:12:35+02:00

“Us” and “Them” – a post-election reflection (SASCE 9 & 10 May 2014)

2014-05-11T09:06:58+02:00

SASCE Choir Eisteddfod: Bloekombos, Kuilsriver, 9 & 10 May 2014

This is a little reflection on “us” and “them” thinking. I use racially-loaded terms like “Here” and “There”, “our side of town” and “their side of town”, and I put them in inverted commas, to make them stand out. How do we relate to these terms? How do we use them? To what purpose do we apply them? No offense is intended, but since this is still election week, and issues of race and identity are being debated, I felt that some of my experiences needed reflection. Here they are. I [read more…]

“Us” and “Them” – a post-election reflection (SASCE 9 & 10 May 2014)2014-05-11T09:06:58+02:00

WECCMA Oratorio Solo Singing Competition: Coaching for Finalists: 28.4.14

2014-04-30T16:44:57+02:00

WECMA Oratorio Competition, Albert Combrink (6)

Held in the Lookout Hill Hall, pictured here with the hill of “Lookout Hill”, we spent the public holiday providing coaching sessions for young singers as part of the Wecma Oratorio Singing Competition. The competition is open to High School learners. Rounds were held in various sectors and I was brought in before the final round to give honing and coaching on matters of style, technique and interpretation. I totally respect this model. Competitions evaluate so many things other than the competitor: access to learning, quality of [read more…]

WECCMA Oratorio Solo Singing Competition: Coaching for Finalists: 28.4.142014-04-30T16:44:57+02:00

Shozaloza: Train of dream and struggle

2014-04-24T07:59:04+02:00

“Shozaloza African Voices”

Bukelwa Velem, Babongile Manga, Miranda Tini, Lusindiso Dubula and Lindile Kula Jr

and Jazz Band:

Albert Combrink (Piano & Musical Director), Darryl Andrews (Bass), Alvyn Dyers (Guitar), Ivan Bell (Drums).


Live Amateur footage from the Oudelibertas Amphitheater Show, Stellenbosch, South Africa, February 2014

To book the Musicians, please contact albertcombrink@gmail.com

Read more about the original show here.

See photos from the shows here.

Members of “Shozaloza African Voices” have taken part in Cape Town Opera productions as soloists and chorus members. Their experience with Jazz influenced works such [read more…]

Shozaloza: Train of dream and struggle2014-04-24T07:59:04+02:00

Video: Gershwin’s “Summertime” – Shozaloza African Voices LIVE

2014-04-24T07:52:59+02:00

Video: Gershwin’s “Summertime” – “Shozaloza African Voices”

Bukelwa Velem ,Babongile Manga, Miranda Tini, Lusindiso Dubula and Lindile Kula Jr

and Jazz Band: Albert Combrink (Piano & Musical Director), Darryl Andrews (Bass), Alvyn Dyers (Guitar), Ivan Bell (Drums).

 

 

To book the Musicians, please contact albertcombrink@gmail.com

Read more about the original show here.

See photos from the shows here.

Live Amateur footage from the Oudelibertas Amphitheater Show, Stellenbosch, South Africa, February 2014

Members of “Shozaloza African Voices” have taken part in Cape Town Opera productions as soloists and chorus members. Their experience [read more…]

Video: Gershwin’s “Summertime” – Shozaloza African Voices LIVE2014-04-24T07:52:59+02:00

Video: Back of the Moon (Matshikiza): Shozaloza African Voices Live

2014-04-23T12:36:32+02:00

Video: Back of the Moon (Matshikiza): Shozaloza African Voices Live

“Shozaloza African Voices”:  Bukelwa Velem ,Babongile Manga, Miranda Tini, Lusindiso Dubula and Lindile Kula Jr

and Jazz Band:

Albert Combrink (Piano & Musical Director), Darryl Andrews (Bass), Alvyn Dyers (Guitar), Ivan Bell (Drums).

To book the Musicians, please contact albertcombrink@gmail.com

Read more about the original show here.

See photos from the shows here.

Live Amateur footage from the Oudelibertas Amphitheater Show, Stellenbosch, South Africa, February 2014

 King Kong is of course one of the most famous American films ever made (and remade). The story of the [read more…]

Video: Back of the Moon (Matshikiza): Shozaloza African Voices Live2014-04-23T12:36:32+02:00

Meadowlands: a song about what black people say about what white people say

2014-04-17T14:46:02+02:00

MeadowLands (Strike Vilakazi)

“Meadowlands“ is one of the most enduring melodies in South African music. The song was composed by Strike Vilakazi in 1956 as a moving, emotional comment on the forced removal of Sophiatown’s residents to the newly created township of Meadowlands, which is now part of Soweto, The lyrics are sung in three different languages Zulu, Sesotho and tsotsitaal, the language of the streets- a mixture of English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Sesotho and Tswana. The lyrics are  ambiguous in their assessment, for or against, the government’s action. The white government thought the song supported their actions, but in reality it was a protest song about [read more…]

Meadowlands: a song about what black people say about what white people say2014-04-17T14:46:02+02:00

The Click Song

2014-04-17T14:02:23+02:00

The Click Song 

Qongqothwane is a traditional song of the Xhosa people of South Africa. It is sung at weddings to bring good fortune. In thewestern world it is mainly known as The Click Song, a nickname given to the song by European colonials who could not pronounce its Xhosa title, which has many click consonants in it. The Xhosa title literally means “knock-knock beetle”, which is a popular name for various species of darkling beetles that make a distinctive knocking sound by tapping their abdomens on the ground. These beetles are believed by the Xhosa to bring good luck and rain.

The song is known world-wide thanks to the interpretation of South African singer Miriam Makeba (herself [read more…]

The Click Song2014-04-17T14:02:23+02:00

Video: “Pata Pata” – Shozaloza African Voices LIVE

2014-04-17T10:54:02+02:00

1255177109_7rzj4x9hwt

“Pata Pata” is a song by South African singer Miriam Makeba the former wife of Hugh Masekela “Pata Pata” was written by fellow southern African artist Dorothy Masuka and first released by Makeba in 1957 when she still lived in South Africa. [Nkrumah, Gamal (17 November 2001). “Mama Africa”. Profile (Cairo, Egypt: Al-Ahram Weekly). Retrieved 15 November 2010.]

The song was released in the United States in 1967 for her studio album of the same name. It was successful on the Billboard Hot 100, and peaked at #12.

The song is considered by many to be Makeba’s [read more…]

Video: “Pata Pata” – Shozaloza African Voices LIVE2014-04-17T10:54:02+02:00

Audience Review

“The pianist with magic fingers”
Jordan Scot – Biz Lounge

More Links

© Copyright    Albert Combrink   |   All Rights Reserved   |   Design by BrynHub
FacebookTwitter
Go to Top