Our Legends Passing the Baton was built on two pillars: humanity and heritage. Stories of passion, courage, perseverance and hope are celebrated through an array of dynamic musical genres: Cape jazz, cabaret, big band, pop, African traditional and spirited Ghoema will take the audience on a musical journey from the 1980s to today.
Our Legends Passing the Baton was born out of a need to showcase stories and work of our heroes, our icons with a special focus on passing the knowledge and expertise on to our younger generation. "Each of the legends we pay tribute to warrants a whole show of their own", said Appollis, "and while there were many names to choose from, our list was also determined by those artists who had a relationship with Artscape over the years."
The show is as much about recognising the old guard as it is about nurturing new talent in our communities and the young artists 'receiving the baton' have had the opportunity to walk a journey with the chosen legends as their mentors. Audio-visual material and footage will further help articulate the influence and impact these musicians have had on the local professional music industry.
Top jazz trumpeter and band leader, Ian Smith will be passing his baton on to young trumpeter Lorenzo Blignaut and vocalist Adelia Douw, while Afro jazz vocalist Sylvia Mdunyelwa will pass hers on to Xoliswa Tom and all-around entertainer and costume diva, Sophia Foster's will go to Abigail Bagley.
The Micallo Music Productions team hope that this will be an inaugural event that will mean many more opportunities to focus on other influential music names.
Our Legends Passing the Baton will see Camillo's band Top Dog, giving the music of legends a new treatment. Sophia will be bring back her first ever hit single: Too Hot To Handle; Ian and Lorenzo - Rise; and Ian and Adelia - Love Dance, as well as Sylvia's haunting Where Are The Children.
The band features Donveno Prins on sax, Morne Hoffmeester on drums and Charlton Daniels on bass. They'll be joined for this performance by guitarist Angelo Syster.
Comedian Mel Jones will be holding everything together as narrator and MC.
Tickets for Our Legends Passing the Baton on Saturday, 1 August cost R100 and are available from Computicket or Artscape Dial-a-Seat on 021 421 7695.
