The final line-up for the long-awaited music concert DRUMBEAT

The final line-up for the long-awaited music concert DRUMBEAT has been announced. DRUMBEAT – presented by Toyota Corolla – was sold out last year and organisers are positive it will reach the same status this year. Thirteen proudly South African acts, will set the three stages ablaze with jazz, hip-hop, house and pop music alike. All this will happen on one night only, 28 March 2015 at the Soweto Theatre.

The last names to be added to the list are Planet Lindela, Afro’traction, Blaklez, DJ Kenzhero andJonas Gwangwa. The organisers announced that this year jazz pianist Paul Hanmer, Soweto locals BCUC (Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness), AKA, as well as Cassper Nyovest, Mi Casa, Toya Delazy and Max-Hoba will be part of this packed line-up.

Jonas Gwangwa has been an important figure in South African jazz for over 40 years. He first gained significance playing trombone with The Jazz Epistles. After the group broke up he continued to be important to the South African music scene and then later abroad.

In the 1960s he began to gain notice in the US and in 1965 he was featured in a "Sound Of Africa" concert at Carnegie Hall. He became important as a composer doing the scores of films like Cry Freedom and at the 60th Annual Academy Awards in 1988 he performed his nominated song of the same name. Also in 1988 he performed at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute in Wembley Stadium. In 1991 he returned to South Africa and in 1997 he composed the theme for London Olympic bid.

DRUMBEAT 2014, saw the event reaching SOLD OUT status a few weeks before the concert date.  An estimated 5 000 attendees filled the Soweto Theatre to the brim to celebrate the best in local music. The public is encouraged to purchase their tickets early to avoid missing out.  Tickets are now on sale at Computicket outlets and online at computicket.com.

DRUMBEAT is presented by Toyota Corolla and DRUM in association with Hilltop Live, White Star Super Maize Meal, Mzansi Magic Music and KayaFM.

Blaklez, the Pretoria-based started shaping his career with appearances on Slikour’s Ventilation Vol2 and Tuk’s album Footprints.  In 2013, Blacklez released his debut album CapCity which includes his radio hits Hush and Don’t Be Scared.  Blaklez made such an impact on the industry that he was nominated for four SA Hip Hop Awards in 2013 including Album of the Year, Most Valuable, Best Video and Best Male.

Show Details:

Date: 28 March 2015

Venue: Soweto Theatre, Soweto

Artists: AKA, Blaklez, Cassper Nyovest, MiCasa, Toya Delazy, Max-Hoba, Paul Hanmer, BCUC, Planet Lindela, Afro’traction, Jonas Gwangwa and DJ Kenzhero.

Tickets: R160 presale via Computicket (online and at stores) and R180 at the door (if available).

For more information visit www.drumbeatconcert.co.za  or check out the Facebook page or Twitter account.