John Hassan is embarking with his band Hassan’adas on a regional tour called We Are One. In this two-leg tour, the group will perform five concerts in South Africa (Western Cape and Gauteng) and another five concerts in Mozambique (Maputo and Beira).

Formed in 2010, this group is leaded by on percussion, vocals and acoustic guitar by John Hassan, legendary Afro-jazz percussionist. Meaning “all stars” or “friends”, Hassan’adas blends original African rhythms and sounds to “make music that people can listen and dance to”.

Band members include Congo-born Kissangwe Junior Mbouta (drums and vocals), Nathan Carolus (guitar and backing vocals) and Lucas Khumalo (bass and backing vocals) who have all played an recorded with prominent South African musicians.

Hassan’adas combine a little samba groove with a splash of marrabenta all fused with a twist of African jive. Under Mozambican leader, John Hassan, the band gets your head bopping and feet tapping with their infectious energy, funky Afro-boogie polyrhythmic percussive vibes and infectious jazz textures.

After releasing the album Look Now (Universal Music, 2011), Hassan’adas performed at the 13th Cape Town International Jazz Festival in 2012, and at the Standard Bank Jazz Festival in Grahamstown in 2012.

Hassan has shared the stage with musical greats including Stimela, Hugh Masekela, Jimmy Dludlu, Simply Red, Sibongile Khumalo as well as Brenda Fassie and Miriam Makeba.

Having left his birthplace at the age of 19 because of a civil war, South Africa had since become his home. “I used to be part of the band called Surprise, and would play the Marula Sun International gigs in Johannesburg,” says the 48-year-old.

For him a career in music was a family tradition: “My mom was a dancer and dad was a musician. When I was 14, I would go with my uncle to weddings and private parties. One time, the drummer of his band was too drunk to play and I got behind the kit and started to play. I then could feel I was going to be a musician.”

The music of Hassan’adas is a culmination of different influences with lyrics that speak of everyday life and personal struggles: “Our fears, tough times and the real issues, all interspersed in the groove. I want people to dance to my music. There’s not only one language, but different languages, from English, Zulu, Portuguese to Tswana, so it caters for everyone.

“I would like to thank Concerts SA for this wonderful opportunity, we are excited for the upcoming tour in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Maputo and Beira, without their gratitude none of this would be happening.”

Hassan’adas tour is supported by the Music Mobility Fund, a funding mechanism administered by Concerts SA which offers opportunities for South African musicians to undertake live music tours.

Concerts SA is a joint South African/Norwegian project housed under the auspices of the SAMRO Foundation. It receives financial, administrative and technical support from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, SAMRO and Concerts Norway.

By engaging with musicians, promoters, venue owners and audiences, the project aims to stimulate live music in South Africa by finding and implementing ways to create regular, sustainable performance platforms.

For more information please visit our website http://concertssa.co.za, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ConcertsSA or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ConcertsSA.

Info for this tour can be found on – http://www.concertssa.co.za/events/2015-07/ – please make use of the link.

CONCERT DATES AND VENUES

Cape Town: Kaleidoscope Café, 48 Main Road, Claremont – 3 July at 8 pm. Tickets R100 at 021 674 5761 or email ghrobertson@kaleidoscope.org.za

Cape Town: Tagore’s, 46 Trill Road, Observatory – 6 july at 9 pm. Admission is free. Inquiries: 073 551 9493

Johannesburg: The Orbit, 81 De Korte Street, Braamfontein – 8 pm on July 23 and 24. Tickets R120 at 011 339 6645 or email info@theorbit.co.za

Centurion: African Chef Restaurant, 270 Witch-Hazel Street, Eco Park, Highveld – 26 July at 6 pm. Admission is free. Bookings: 012 661 3502 or email hlangwane.hlulane@gmail.com

Maputo: Beer Garden, Avda. Albert Luthuli cnr Avda. 24 de Julho- 30 July at 6 pm. Entry is 200Mt. Bookings: +25 88 4301 0609

Maputo: Jazz Spoon, Avenida das Indústrias, Matola – 31 July at 8.30 pm. Entry 200Mt. Bookings: +25 88 4823 7647

Maputo: Ambiente Bar,  Rua 5305 cnr Rua de Sao Pedro, Maputo – 2 August at 4 pm. Entry 200Mt. Bookings: +25 88 2860 9110

Maputo: Gil Vicente, Av. Samora Machel 157 – 5 August at 9 pm. Entry is 200Mt. Bookings: +25 88 4586 4582 or email Gilvicente.cafebar@gmail.com

Beira: Mapiko, Pero De Anaia Avenida – 6 August at 9 pm. Entry 300Mt. Bookings: +258 84 630 0164