The School of Arts within the College of Humanities hosted an exciting ‘Singing for 67 Blankets’ concert that was a vocal showcase featuring singers from the music discipline. The concert was held at the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music.

The evening of song included a varied programme of opera, classical voice, popular music, jazz, isicathamiya, solo and ensemble singing.

‘This concert not only provided a platform to showcase talented and diverse musicians in the School, it also provided an opportunity to make a contribution to the national charity 67 Blankets,’ said Mrs Debbie Mari, a jazz lecturer. ‘Singers in the music discipline contributed in various ways including knitting squares or whole blankets and of course their performances, for the 67 Blankets campaign. The blankets were presented to the charity representatives at the concert before being distributed to people and communities in need across the city.’

The concert included the close-harmony jazz vocal group UKZN Voices under the direction of Mari; the Pop Voice Ensemble led by Durban Theatre personality Anthony Stonier; opera soloists Wayne Mkhize, Khulekani Miya, Margaret Mfayela and Bulelwa Msane;  jazz vocalists Menzi Cele, Lwazi Khuzwayo, Nolwazi Dlamini, Nomfundo Cele and Josie Matabola; pop singers Nobuhle Khuzwayo, Tony Hlangu, Nhlanhla Mthethwa, Nomcebo Luthuli and Minenhle Skhosana; the UKZN Opera Ensemble directed by Lionel Mkhwanazi and the UKZN AMD Isicathamiya Ensemble directed by Nu Luthuli.

There were Jazz standards such as I Could Write A Book, In a Mellow Tone and Doxy; Pop favourites I’ll Rise Up and Have You Ever; Opera classics including Habanera and Giuseppe Verdi’s Bella Figlia Dell ’Amore alongside South African compositions Mme le ntate and eThekwini by the late Andile Mseleku.

There was CD giveaways, Popup Society restaurant vouchers up for grabs and music for everyone.