Sereetsi & the Natives has announced a tour of South Africa beginning August 12th 2016 to September 6th that will see the band playing a number of dates in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Mafikeng and Pietermaritzburg.
“This is part of our greater plan to grow our footprint internationally. We have just returned from an outing with Namibian world music star, Elemotho, on July 9th 2016 at Windhoek’s Warehouse Theatre. The tour is a continuation of efforts to share the Natives rhythms with the rest of the world,” says Sereetsi.
The tour makes for cultural exchange too as it features musos from four countries – Botswana, US, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The personnel for the tour is Sereetsi on four string guitar and lead vocals, US born Terry Lewis on alto saxophone, young and dynamic Zimbabwean Leroy Nyoni on drums and vocals and the South African well travelled bassist Thabang Phora.
“We are going to play 9 shows in South Africa with more to be confirmed as time gets closer. We want to make the tour an annual one, which will include other countries going forward,” says Sereetsi.
The singer/songwriter who is also the author of the groundbreaking instructional book/CD, The Solo Four String Guitar of Botswana, says the tour is at the moment an entirely self-funded effort.
“We would like any support we can get, be it inviting your South African friends to check us out at a venue near them or spreading the word on social media. We welcome support from the private sector to help us with the costs of the tour,” he says.
Sereetsi & the Natives has already played three big festivals in South Africa – The Calabash in Durban, Mahika Mahikeng Jazz Fest in Mafikeng and the Kgalagadi Jazz festival in Kuruman.
The act is one of the most popular in Botswana with a number of hits from its critically acclaimed 2015 debut, Four String Confessions, such as ‘Robete’, ‘Thaa Kokome’ and ‘Ke Boletsa Mongwe’ on regular rotation on radio. Its sound combines Botswana rhythms and verse with influences such as jazz and folk rock.
Confirmed Shows:
Fri 12 Aug – Afrikan Freedom Station
Sun 14 Aug – Railways Café
Fri 19 Aug – Winnie’s Jazz Restaurant
Sat 20 Aug – The Good Luck Bar with Tidal Waves
Sun 21 Aug – Amuse Café
Fri 26 Aug – Mmabatho Palms
Wed 31 Aug – UKZN Centre for Jazz
Sun 04 Sep – Wahooz
Tue 06 Sep – Maritzburg Musicians Club with Josie Field
See Sereetsi & The Natives links below
Thaa Kokome – Live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaJQv8Hcvu0
Robete – Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hobao668e94
Website: http://www.sereetsiandthenatives.com/index/
Articles: http://www.thevoicebw.com/sereetsi-and-the-natives-wows-mahika-mahikeng/
Articles: http://www.sundaystandard.info/sereetsi-natives-tour-south-africa
Articles: http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?aid=55037&dir=2015%2Foctober%2F21
