Durban - CraftFest not only brings you everything craft, but also some of the country’s top musicians.
Brought to you by the Independent on Saturday and the Shongweni Farmers and Craft Market, CraftFest is a celebration of craft drinks, artisan food and the best in local handicrafts.
So while you’re sipping on pink gins in our gin bar, or enjoying your craft ale in the beer tent or simply enjoying the day out in the gardens, take in the sounds of the best local talent.
Blues musician Don Seagreen opens the show. The singer songwriter with a powerful voice has performed all over the province, as well as with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, on the main stage at Splashy Fen and at the International Blues Festival alongside the likes of Dan Patlansky, Wonderboom, Desmond and the Tutus, Crash Car Burn and several others.
He has achieved several accolades such as top vocalist in Durban 2002, winner of Battle of the Bands 2014 and runner-up in 2013. His songs have achieved radio airplay nationwide.
Calamity Jam is a four-piece acoustic rock band, with Brian Petterson on vocals and rhythm, Dorel Scuderi on bass, Nick Pitman on lead guitar and Raul Diaz on drums
It was originally formed in the late 90s to enter the East Coast Radio Battle of the Bands competition. The band won the competition, but soon afterwards, the project was shelved until recently when new members came on board.
Calamity Jam performs popular cover songs from 80s classics to current day chart toppers and offers everything from a vibey acoustic set through to a rocking live show.
Crowd favourites Qadasi and Maqhinga are an acoustic duo out to revive the sounds of traditional Maskandi music.
David “Qadasi” Jenkins is an accomplished maskandi guitarist, concertina and banjo player who developed a deep passion for Zulu culture and music at a young age, while Maqhinga Radebe began his career as a Maskandi musician in the mid 90s and has played a key role as the guitarist in popular Maskandi group Shabalala Rhythm.
The two met in Durban in early 2010 when Qadasi was enquiring about a concertina tuner. After a jam session, the talented musicians joined forces and have become firm friends, with Maqhinga taking the role of music director and producer of Qadasi’s first solo projects.
They have performed in Europe, Asia, the US and throughout Southern Africa. Released in 2017, their collaborative album, Lashis’ Ilanga was nominated for a Sama for Best Traditional Album.
Very popular with the crowd last year, Pretoria’s Pedro Barbosa is a welcome return to CraftFest, and he will have not one, but two, sets on the main stage.
Born in Maputo in 1979, Barbosa discovered music at an early age, writing his own songs at 15. After trying his hand at pharmacy, and then a year of marine biology, he realised music was his true calling. He did a national diploma in jazz, performance and sound technology at Pretoria before a stint in Los Angeles where he studied professional song writing and production at the Musicians Institute.
On his return to South Africa, he formed a rock band, Mrs B, recording four albums before they split in 2013. He then started The Barbosa Experience and in 2015 recorded the album I Got No Money, which featured Brazilian Harmonica player Pablo Fagundes. In 2018 he released his debut solo album, Reborn. He has also featured regularly at Oppikoppi
Barbosa is known for his electrifying performances, wide vocal range, and creating a great party atmosphere.
“I pride myself in being a kind, confident, big guy that many have come to know and love,” he says.
At last year’s CraftFest he told how he met Brenda Fassie as a boy and the impression she had on him. His rendition of Fassie’s song Nomakanjani had the crowd dancing on the lawns.
- Get those feet tapping and book your tickets to CraftFest on March 22 at the Shongweni Farmers and Craft Market, from 10am to 4pm. Tickets from Quicket R120. There are a few early bird tickets available for R80.