This partnership will transport audiences to a new experience with their concert titled “Marabi Meets Highlife: Jo Kunnuji in Concert with Mlungisi Gegana”. 

In the OFM Art Beat, they share their heart and passion with Yolanda Maartens.

Joseph Kunnuji is a musician and ethnomusicologist. He pioneered the ethnomusicology and African Music programmr at the Odeion School of Music, University of the Free State. His doctoral research focused on recontextualising Indigenous Ogu music from Badagry, Lagos State, and other sites along the West African Atlantic coast, blending it with popular aesthetics and production models. 

Jazz aficionados across the country have been sitting up and listening to the sounds of award-winning jazz legend Mlungisi Gegana as a double bass, electric bassist, band leader, music composer, music arranger, music producer, and session musician. He is widely versed in South African music idiom and has collaborated with some of the finest jazz musicians in South Africa.

Jo and Mlungisi come together to bring to life music that has been a part of their lives and upbringing. In conversation with Yolanda, Jo speaks of music from his roots meeting something new.

Jo Kunnuji plays the trumpet. Photo supplied

The purpose and goal behind this show is to sensitise the audience to the need for unity and peace among Africans and within our cities and Jo hopes to take this show across the country and broader African countries. 

Jo states that this music is a celebration and a message that as people there is and should be “Unity in our Diversity”.

The show will consist of mostly original pieces composed by both Kunnuji and Gegana.

Jo also shares his passion for young people learning music and encourages young musicians to be consistent as that is what will take them far.

Tickets for “Marabi Meets Highlife: Jo Kunnuji in Concert with Mlungisi Gegana” are available on Quicket.

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