Durban music fans are in for a double treat when musicians from Switzerland, Mozambique and Turkey take the stage on two consecutive days at the Jazz Centre, University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Firstly, on April 1, the percussion band Beat Bag Bohemia will present a programme of rhythmic influences from Rock to Contemporary Jazz. Even though it’s April 1, don’t be fooled, the band is really called “Beat Bag Bohemia” and it comprises South African drummer, Kesivan Naidoo, djembe/mbira player Rolando Lamussene from Mozambique and two Swiss percussionists, Peter Conradin Zumthor and Lucas Niggli, who was born in Cameroon. They all have performance credits with numerous experimental bands and, in Naidoo’s case, top jazz ensembles. Currently they have come together to present exciting and orchestral-like versions of drum sounds under the touring title of Fellowship of the Drum.

On April 2, the ever-innovative Jazz Centre is showcasing an unusual jazz duo from Turkey, which features Kamil Erdem on bass and Sibel Kose on vocals. Based in Istanbul, these artists are extremely popular in Turkey and present mainly mainstream jazz in a unique format. Erdem blends in the rhythms of the Balkans, Anatolia and the Middle East while Kose has flavoured her jazz singing with pop and modern big-band styles. Like Erdem, she has played with the top jazz stars in Turkey and many visiting artists. Recently Darius Brubeck, who initiated their South African tour, joined them on stage at Istanbul’s famous Nardis Club and he will also appear as a guest artist for a few numbers at the Jazz Centre.

Both performances run from 17h30 to 19h00 Admission R20 (R10 students). Call Glynis at 031 260 3385 for any further information.