Dizu Plaatjies – Ibuyambo Ensemble

Come experience some of the best performances of marimba, mbira, akadinda, umrhubhe, uhadi, and African drumming with Dizu Plaatjies – Ibuyambo Ensemble.

Wits Theatre and Wits School of Arts/Division of Music present Dizu Plaatjies – Ibuyambo Ensemble 

Joburg audiences will have a rare opportunity to experience some of the best performances of marimba, mbira, akadinda, umrhubhe, uhadi, and African drumming when Dizu Plaatjies – Ibuyambo Ensemble take to the stage at The Wits Theatre.  

Based in Cape Town, the Ibuyambo Ensemble, is a traditional ensemble lead by former Amampondo leader, Dizu Plaatjies. The five-piece group performs traditional, neo-traditional and original African songs. Virtually all instruments are handmade out of wood, animal skins, seeds, hand beaten metal.  

Dizu Plaatjies, the son of a Xhosa traditional healer, grew up in the Cape Town township of Langa in South Africa. Behind his warm smile is a serious and spiritual person. He is the founder and former leader of South Africa’s internationally celebrated marimba group, Amampondo. Dizu´s compositions and arrangements of traditional songs appear on 7 albums by his former group.  

After over 15 years of touring with Amampondo he recorded his first solo album in 2005, entitled, Ibuyambo. The CD was released together with a stage show. This event featured Dizu with most of the players with whom he recorded the album, performing in his hallmark body paint and featuring dance and costumes inspired by traditional outfits of the peoples of the southern African region. 

As teacher and he has recently visited the USA, Australia, and Scandinavia to lead workshops. He has performed in the Czech Republic, where his collaboration with local folk artist Jiri Pavlica has made Dizu a major attraction in that country being awarded a gold record for their recordings together. 

He plays live solo or as a duo or with his own band (known as Dizu Plaatjies and the Ibuyambo Ensemble) of multi-instrumentalists cover repertoire from his work of over 25 years while always offering something fresh. 

When not touring he spends his time teaching at the University of Cape Town’s Music College. 

PRODUCTION: Dizu Plaatjies – Ibuyambo Ensemble
VENUE: The Wits Theatre,
SEASON: Tuesday 19 September 2017
RUNNING TIME: 90 minutes  
BOOKING: www.webtickets.co.za
Full price = R80.00; discount price = R55.00 (students, pensioners and Wits staff).
Tickets are available at the door. Full price = R85.00; discount price = R60.00 (students, pensioners and Wits staff).

For further information: www.wits.ac.za/witstheatre

Facebook: witstheatre / wits music 

MEDIA QUERIES:

Bridget van Oerle

011 717 1376 or bridget.vanoerle@wits.ac.za

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