Lucky Ranku, 6 March 2014: The great South African guitarist Lucky Ranku has been at the heart of South African music for over 40 years, playing, recording and touring with the likes of Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Dudu Pukwana, Pinise Saul as well as British icon Mike Oldfield and leading his own bands The African Jazz Allstars, South African Gospel Singers and Township Express. Lucky Ranku’s signature guitar sound changed African guitar forever. With The Malombo Jazz Group in the 60s and Julian Bahula’s Jabula in the 70s he laid the foundation for what became known as “the township beat”. Tonight Lucky Ranku performs an all original compositions with a cracking 6-piece band featuring musicians from across Africa.

The Rhythms, 7 March 2014: The Rhythms are a 7 piece band from Lagos, Nigeria who mix the cerebral musicality of Afrobeat with the visceral grooves of funk, underpinned with Yoruba-English vocal styles. This is contemporary African music at its best that takes the past into the future. The Rhythms are Femi Sofela (bass), Ebenezer Oke (guitar), Niran Obasa (synths), Gbenga Kolade (keys), Tope Orekoya (percussion), Luwoye Miller (drums) and Esther Mabadeje (vocals).

Aubrei Woki & Kalahari, 8 March 2014: Botswana’s bassist and vocalist Aubrei Woki is one of the unsung heroes of African music. For 30 years he was a bassist of choice for the likes of Hugh Masekela, Dudu Pukwana, The South African Gospel Singers, Township Express and Lucky Ranku and Pinise Saul. After many years in Europe and America he returned to Botswana in 2009 to be with his family and recorded a series of CDs with his wife Maseko Woki. In 2013 he returned to Europe and recorded a new CD “Money” with his long term running band “Kalahari”. In their first show in 6 years Aubrei Woki & Kalahari play from their new CD “Money” featuring all original compositions by Aubrei Woki.

LISTINGS INFORMATION – 2^nd African Composers Series

Venue:  The Vortex Club, 11 Gillett Square, London N16 8AZ
Date: 6, 7^th & 8^th March 2014, 8.30pm
Box office: 020 7254 4097
Website: www.vortexjazz.co.uk