US steelpan master Andy Narell to perform in SA

Narell will perform with his South African band, Andy Narell Jazz Club of Soweto, comprising established names Louis Mhlanga (guitar), Rob Watson (drums), Denis Lalouette (bass guitar) and Thandi Ntuli (piano).

“We are honoured to have the icon Andy Narell join our family of superstars in the Kaya FM and Bassline Live series,” Bassline said. “A music lover's dream come true, catch him live in concert on the 7 July at the Lyric at Gold Reef.”

This will not be the first time the US singer has performed in South Africa. He played at the Cape Town International Jazz and Joy of Jazz festivals in 2007 and 2012 respectively. Besides playing music, he teaches regularly in South Africa.

Narell has graced stages across the globe and has performed with countless well-known names in the jazz, Latin American, Caribbean and world music genres. He started playing music with his brothers and friends in New York in 1962. In 1973 Narell graduated from the University of California. He released his first album Hidden Treasures in 1979. After Hidden Treasures he released six albums under Windham Hill Records and gained himself the moniker ‘The Hammer’ along the way.

Narell joined the Caribbean Jazz Project in 1995. The group released three albums. In the early 2000s Narell joined Sakesho, with which he released two albums.

One of his biggest collaborations was with US bluegrass supergroup Bela Fleck and the Flecktones where he played alongside music royalty such as bassist Victor Wooten, saxophonist Jeff Coffin and the group's bandleader and banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck. Narell appears on the band's highly acclaimed Live at the Quick album, which was performed and recorded in 2000. 

Tickets to the event can be purchased via Computicket. Click here for more information about this event.