The Prisoners of Strange with:
Siyavuya Makuzeni - voice and trombone,
Marcus Wyatt – trumpet,
Sydney Mnisi - saxophones,
Lloyd Martin - drums,
Carlo Mombelli – bass and manipulated springs.
‘The Prisoners of Strange’ from Johannesburg is a collective ensemble with some of South Africa’s finest jazz musicians under the leadership of Carlo Mombelli. The current line-up has been together since 2001, and have evolved into an exciting live performance ensemble with a cult following in South Africa. Their latest CD released in 2007 ‘I stared into my head’ features ‘the Prisoners of Strange’ with strings and artwork by Norman Catherine, and has been nominated for a SAMA award.
From the press:
Last night I saw one of the most brilliant musical performances I have ever seen in a long while. And I say performances because it was just that. I’m talking about the ‘the Prisoners of Strangeâ€, a jazz line-up under the direction of Carlo Mombelli. Sometimes a group’s dynamic exists that is so utterly comfortable, so magnificent to watch, that it blows you away. As the last note was played every single person in the audience jumped to their feet in standing ovation. Breathtaking stuff. - IAFRICA ENTERTAINMENT (October 2003)
SIYAVUYA MAKUZENI - voice (also plays trombone)
from East London, South Africa, living in Johannesburg. Only 26 years old and she has already made a name for herself on the South African music scene, having recorded and performed with nearly every jazz giant in the country. Her improvisational skills are unbelievable and unique. Some of her vocal influences being Ursula Dulziak, Flora Purim and Ella Fitzgerald. In 2006 she was one of six young musicians selected from around the world, that were invited to spend a few month at the creative works establishment Fabrika, in Italy studying free improvisation. She has recently returned from another trip to Rome where she collaborated and recorded the sound track to the film ‘Forse dio e malato’ (2008) being released on the Roman label, Camjazz.
MARCUS WYATT - trumpet (also plays sonic designs)
from Port Elizabeth, South Africa, living in Johannesburg. A graduate of the School of Music at the University of Cape Town, Marcus has performed with all the major jazz musicians in South Africa including Bheki Mseleku, Paul Hanmer, Louis Mhlanga Sibongile Khumalo, Abdullah Ibrahim, Winston Mankunku, Vusi Mahlasela, Miriam Makeba, and Morris Goldberg as well the internationals Manu Dibango, Walter Bishop Jnr, James Morrison, Courtney Pine and Andy Sheppard. Marcus has released three albums under his own name and has recently performed at the Stockholm International Jazz Fest as well as the Rome International jazz festival with his band, “Language 12â€.
SYDNEY MNISI - saxophones
from Thembisa, South Africa, has also performed and recorded with almost every leading South African Jazz musician, including Hugh Masekela, Abdullah Ibrahim, Bheki Mseleku and many others. Sydney is a highly versatile musician who works regularly in Holland as part of the South Africa/ Netherlands musical collaborations and extensively on the local performing and recording circuit.
LLOYD MARTIN - drums and sonic designs
Born in Cape Town, South Africa. He brings a sound to the ensemble inspired by his earlier musical activities with the top South African punk band ‘the Cherry Faced Lurchers’ and folk musician Jennifer Ferguson. Besides also working in jazz circles with Johnny Fourie, Darius Brubeck and Sibongile Khumalo he has been a full time session musician for the last 20 years.
CARLO MOMBELLI - bass (also plays ‘manipulated springs and sonic designs’)
born in Pretoria, South Africa, living in Johanessburg. He has recorded and performed around the world with amongst others, Egberto Gismonti, Lee Konitz, Mick Goodrick and Charlie Mariano. He also contributed and played music on the recording tribute for Jaco Pastorius, ‘Basstorius’ together with Carles Benavent and Mathew Garrison. Carlo was Composer - In - Residence at Wits University in 2004 and can also be heard on many South African recordings including Marcus Wyatt, Johnny Fourie, Tlale Makhene, Simphiwe Dana, Sibongile Khumalo and Miriam Makeba. Many ballets have been choreographed to Carlo’s music with performances in Johannesburg, the Hague, as well as in Denmark and the Ramallah Dance festival. His composition commissions include amongst others ‘Observations from the hideout’ commissioned by the Stockholm Saxophone Quartet. He has composed music for many films, written books that are being published by STE publishing and has recorded seven CD’s and a DVD of his own works.
Besides performing with Marcus Wyatt's Language 12, Carlo also collaborates in Paris with the French company Lutherie Urbaine, performing music on instruments built from recycled material. Carlo will be busy on this project in South Africa and France until May 2009. Other current projects include a trip to Holland in June 2008 to meet-up with the New York based Ethel String quartet to compose new music for their performances.
Contact:
Carlo Mombelli
Email: [email protected]
or
Management: Liza Rossi
Email: [email protected]
or
Record company: Instinct Africaine records
J.B. Arthur
Email: [email protected]
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