The Lady Day Big Band, an all-female professional big band, is launching their debut album ‘Livus’umoya’ in Cape Town, South Africa. The band showcases the skills of female musicians, nurtures emerging talent, and disrupts traditional norms in the male-dominated jazz scene. The album is a reflection of the musicians’ growth and confidence, with over half of the compositions written by band members. The launch promises to be an unforgettable night of astounding music and a tribute to South African music, showcasing the enchantment of The Lady Day Big Band.
The Lady Day Big Band (LDBB), an all-female professional big band, is set to launch their first album, ‘Livus’umoya,’ at the celebrated Star Theatre in Cape Town. The band puts a spotlight on the adeptness of female musicians, nurtures emerging talent, and disrupts the conventional norms. The album offers an engaging mix of vocal and instrumental tracks, with over half of the compositions being written by band members.
Gear up for a musical revelry, the first of its kind in South Africa, as The Lady Day Big Band (LDBB), an all-female professional big band, is ready to unveil their pioneering album. Named in tribute to the iconic jazz vocalist, Billy ‘Lady Day’ Holiday, the band is set to launch their first album, ‘Livus’umoya,’ at the celebrated Star Theatre in Cape Town next month.
LDBB, which originated as a legacy project in 2018, has been a groundbreaker in the predominantly male jazz scene. The band puts a spotlight on the adeptness of female musicians, nurtures emerging talent, and disrupts the conventional norms. Amanda Tiffin, a band member, emphasizes the band’s role in magnifying the presence and recognition of female musicians, leading to diversity in the projects they embark on and an increase in their skills and self-assurance.
Co-founders of the band, Amanda Tiffin, Lana Crowster, and Kelly Bell, have dedicated years to perfecting their distinctive sound, which fuses contemporary styles with classic big band music. Their performances promise a thrilling musical journey for listeners, reminiscent of the golden age of big band music. Crowster, whose ambition is to lead her own big band, underscores the significance of a secure environment where women can delve into their musical creativity. This vision has been brought to life through LDBB.
Their inaugural album is not merely a compilation of songs but a reflection of the musicians’ development and self-assurance. Recording the album provided several musicians with their first professional studio experience, while others had the opportunity to display their songwriting, composition, and arranging abilities. The band’s music collection predominantly consists of South African pieces, with over half of the compositions being written by band members, while the remaining are refreshing reinterpretations of South African classics.
The album offers an engaging mix of vocal and instrumental tracks, with band leader Lana Crowster contributing her voice to numerous pieces. The album features her spellbinding rendition of Karen Zoid and Francois Van Cokes’ ‘Toe Vind Ek Jou,’ alongside some remarkable collaborations. Significantly, the band had the privilege of featuring Gloria Bosman’s impressive vocals on a stirring version of Busi Mhlongo’s ‘Yehlisan’umoya,’ one of her final studio recordings.
LDBB is not just about making music, but also about inspiring through it. Their song ‘Ayo Ayo’ carries a message of hope and assurance, reflecting the band’s philosophy of stirring the spirit. However, the album doesn’t shy away from addressing serious issues; it confronts the gut-wrenching issue of child murders in the Western Cape. Their track ‘Elegy for the Forgotten Child’ serves as a sorrowful tribute to the victims of these atrocious crimes, reminding the world of their names and urging an end to the violence.
Beyond the album, the band aspires to tap into the growing wave of African creativity making waves internationally. They plan to represent LDBB on global platforms and partner with female musicians around the world. Moreover, they plan to conduct free workshops for young musicians across Africa, reaffirming the importance of representation. They believe that showcasing women in the act of creating and performing music can motivate more young people to pursue their musical aspirations, fostering a supportive community in the process.
To commemorate the album launch, the full 20-member Lady Day Big Band will perform select songs from the album as well as some globally loved South African tunes on the evening of Friday, February 23, 2024. The event will be enlivened by guest vocalist and co-MC for the evening, Lynelle Kenned, along with a variety of surprise guests. The evening is set to be a fascinating display of female talent, a tribute to South African music, and a significant step towards gender equality in the music industry.
So, prepare yourself for an unforgettable night of astounding music and indomitable spirit at the Star Theatre. The tickets, costing R175, can be obtained from Quicket. Don’t miss out on experiencing the enchantment of The Lady Day Big Band as they leave their mark on the global music stage.
The Lady Day Big Band is an all-female professional big band that originated as a legacy project in 2018. The band puts a spotlight on the adeptness of female musicians, nurtures emerging talent, and disrupts the conventional norms in the predominantly male jazz scene.
Their debut album is called ‘Livus’umoya,’ which translates to ‘the spirit of the music’ in isiXhosa.
The album is not merely a compilation of songs but a reflection of the musicians’ development and self-assurance. It provided several musicians with their first professional studio experience, while others had the opportunity to display their songwriting, composition, and arranging abilities.
The band’s song ‘Ayo Ayo’ carries a message of hope and assurance, reflecting the band’s philosophy of stirring the spirit. However, the album doesn’t shy away from addressing serious issues, and it confronts the gut-wrenching issue of child murders in the Western Cape.
Beyond the album launch, the band aspires to tap into the growing wave of African creativity making waves internationally. They plan to represent LDBB on global platforms and partner with female musicians around the world. Moreover, they plan to conduct free workshops for young musicians across Africa, reaffirming the importance of representation.
The launch of the album will take place at the Star Theatre in Cape Town on the evening of Friday, February 23, 2024. The tickets, costing R175, can be obtained from Quicket.
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