The multi-genre saxophone quartet SAXIT! will be doing music education workshops and live performances in Durban as part of a nationwide tour.

Since 2012, SAXIT! has been developing a vibrant and diverse sound and pushing the boundaries of the saxophone ensemble, performing a multitude of musical styles without a rhythm section.

The band has performed at the National Arts Festival (NAF), Infecting the City Public Arts Festival and at the Oude Libertas Summer Concert Series in Stellenbosch. Following their NAF performance, Cue Magazine wrote: “The repertoire ranges from upbeat to melancholy to celebratory. This easy-going band of musicians does themselves proud!”

The band is made up of Joel Benjamin (alto/soprano sax), Jade de Waal (alto sax/flute), Simon Bates (tenor sax/flute), and Gareth Harvey (baritone sax/bass clarinet).

Asked about the role of live performance, Gareth says: “Music to most people runs close their hearts and one of the main things SAXIT! would like people to feel is, firstly, being present in the experience and not distracted by the material world. Secondly, to simply enjoy themselves. Then, our workshops aim at empowering music students with skills in developing their own careers and mastering their instruments.”

SAXIT! collaborated in an animated short film project titled Heart and in 2015 released their debut self-titled EP.

The gigs are 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 initiative housed under the auspices of the stakeholder hub within the SAMRO Foundation. It receives financial, administrative and technical support from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the SAMRO Foundation and Concerts Norway.

The project aims to support live music in South Africa by finding and implementing ways to create a vibrant and viable live music circuit. It also aims to develop an interest in and appreciation of live music by showcasing music performances and conducting workshops at schools.

Keep in touch with the band through the Facebook page:Saxit or log on to www.reverbnation.com/saxit

NEED TO KNOW

• Thursday, September 1 at 10.30pm at The Chairman, 146 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Durban. Tickets R150. Bookings: 078 387 1408 or email info@thechairmanlive.com
• Friday, September 2 at 2 pm at the University of KwaZulu’s Centre for Jazz and Popular Music in Durban. Free workshop (for students only). Bookings: 031 260 3385or email zamat1@ukzn.ac.za
• Friday, September 2 at 8 pm at the Jazzy Rainbow, 93 Smiso Nkwanyana Road, Durban. Tickets R70. Bookings: 031 303 8398.

SAXIT! will also be performing at other venues in SA. Catch them here:

• Friday, September 9 at 10 am and 2 pm at the Odeion School of Music, Universiteit van die Vrystaat, Kanseliersweg, Universitas, Bloemfontein. Free workshops (for students only). Bookings: 051 401 2810.
• Friday, September 9 at 7 pm at PACOFS, 12 1st Avenue, Bloemfontein. Tickets R80. Bookings: 051 447 7771 or email jazzeveningsbfn@gmail.com
• Saturday, September 10 at 7 pm at 59Plenty,  59 General Dan Pienaar Drive, Bloemfontein. No cover charge. Bookings: 082 626 7606 or email admin@galleryonleviseur.co.za
• Friday, Septemebr 16 at 9.30 pm at Johannesburg’s Joy of Jazz at the Sandton Convention Centre, 161 Maude St, Sandton, Johannesburg. Tickets R750. Bookings: http://online.computicket.com/web
• Saturday, September 17 at 10 am – Music Enlightenment Project, 92 Juta Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg. Free workshop (for students only). Bookings: 081 000 289or email info@musicenlightenmentproject.co.za
• September, September 17 at 1 pm at Kagothato Laka Music Academy, 753 Crescent Street, Ext 2, Vosloorus. Free workshop (for students only). Bookings: 082 295 7038 or email gao.laka@gmail.com
• Saturday, September 17 at 9 pm at The Bohemian, 167 Perth Road, Westdene, Johannesburg. Bookings: 011 482 1725 or email joe@thebo.co.za