IQHAWE SATCHMO

The Life and Music Of Louis Armstrong

featuring DONALD TSHOMELA

and the ALL Star BAND

Written and Directed by ADOLF THELEN

This show has been performed for the first time at the "Spier Amphitheatre" in December 1999 and received standing ovations every night. Further performances at the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town, as well as the "Warehouse" Theatre in Windhoek/Namibia were extremely sucessful.

A well-balanced mix of narration, slide-projections, original audio-files, together with Armstrong's famous songs has pleased not only jazz-enthusiasts. "SATCHMO" is not an impersonation show as such, but a tribute to the "Ambassador of Goodwill" through Jazz-Music in the 20th century. The program of 90 minutes consists of two acts. This show was specially written by Adolf Thelen, and, supported by archival audio material, features highlights of Armstrong's career as he rose from poverty to become one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century. It also stresses the African influence on Satchmo's jazz as well as the influence he exerted on African music. Donald Tshomela sings Satchmo-favourites in his inimitable gravel-voiced style. Nostalgic numbers like "Mack the Knife", "What a wonderful world". "Hello Dolly", "Blueberry Hill" and "Basin Street Blues" are featured in this exciting programme.

IQHAWE SATCHMO is available as a complete 90 minutes show in two acts, as well as a 60-minutes concert-tribute without full narration and slide projection.

THE SONGS

Now you have Jazz - Nobody knows the trouble I've seen - Basin Street Blues

Cabaret - Tiger Rag - Mack the Knife - A kiss to build a dream on

Back home in Indiana - Alexander's Ragtime Band

All of me - C'est si bon - Bill Bailey - You rascal you - Ain't misbehavin'

What a wonderful world - Meadowlands - Hello Dolly

When its sleepy time down south - Just a closer walk with thee - Oh when the saints

DONALD TSHOMELA

Donald was born in Springs on the East Rand and worked as a clerk on the Witwatersrand mines. After moving to Cape Town, Donald started his career as a jazz-singer. He performed in the legendary "Catacombs" in District Six and toured Japan with the "African Jazz Pioneers". He appears regularly in various jazz-venues in and around Cape Town and was also invited to the "Standard Bank Jazz Festival" in Grahamstown. As a black South African singer, Donald shares experiences of racial segregation with the great late Louis Armstrong, yet he would never allow this to take the joy from him in making good music.

Click here to watch a video. Important: You will require Real Player to view this video.