One of South Africa’s top jazz guitarists, Mlungisi Gegana, and his band will be the special guests on August 11 at the AL63 restaurant at Gateway.

The smooth sounds of bassist, composer and arranger Mlungisi Gegana will take music lovers “one step forward” as they listen to his mixture of traditional elements with mainstream sounds.

In 1972, an eleven-year old picked up a tin guitar in a small town called Queenstown. His journey progressed to playing on a bass guitar in Cape Town and landed him in Johannesburg where his first album was born. Amongst others, he has played with Steve Dyer, McCoy Mrubata and Jonas Gwanga. Together with Khaya Mahlangu, he played in a resident band for the television jazz series, Bedazzled.

He has played in various renowned music festivals nationally and played bass on Thandiswa Mazwai’s Zabalaza album, Victor Ntoni’s Mzansi and on Bob Mintzer’s Big Band.

Apart from playing with Zim Ngqawana at the North-sea jazz festival, he recently completed a successful tour of France with his own band.

While Gegana’s contemporary jazz style, fusing African and Latin elements with mainstream sounds, is enjoyed in big bands, international and national jazz festivals, it is equally enjoyed at corporate and social events.

AL63 restaurant is at Shop 5, 9 Palm Boulevard, at Gateway. Bookings and information on 031 566 3021