Available: March/ April
MYELE MANZANZA (formerly of Electric Wire Hustle/ New Zealand) w/ The Myele Manzanza Trio
Drums: Myele Manzanza
Keys: Mark De Clive Lowe
Bass: Matt Dal Din
“The future of drums in NZ is firmly in the hands of Myele Manzanza.” – NZ Musician Magazine
This may seem a lofty statement but this young talent has already enjoyed an impressive career behind the drum kit. For the past 6 years he has turned heads internationally traveling the globe with New Zealand’s acclaimed modern soul group, Electric Wire Hustle, and he has also performed and recorded alongside some of New Zealand’s finest including Mark de Clive Lowe, The Recloose Live Band, Olmecha Supreme and Ria Hall to name a few.
After being selected as NZ’s sole representative at the 2010 Red Bull Music Academy in London, Myele wielded the knowledge he acquired from the tutelage of such masters as Flying Lotus, Roots Manuva, Cluster, Moodyman, Dr Peter Zinovieff and DJ Zinc and crafted his first solo album, ONE. An album which has gained him a release through UK label BBE in September this year.
The son of Congolese master percussionist, Sam Manzanza, Myele was introduced to the language of the drum and traditional African rhythms from an early age. As a child he performed on hand drums with his father who was also one of the first Africans to perform traditional African Afrobeat and High Life music in New Zealand, but it wasn’t until Myele was 14 that he started playing a kit.
Upon completion of high school Myele was awarded a scholarship to continue his music studies and went on to graduate from the New Zealand School Of Music with a Degree in Jazz performance in 2008. Since then Myele has gone on to become one of New Zealand’s leading exponent’s in his field. His dexterity and extensive skill as a drummer see him able to traverse styles seamlessly and his performances are always brilliantly captivating.
As a solo artist / band leader Myele is currently focussing on two performance incarnations, the hip hop/ electronic / funk productions that can be found on his solo debut are given life through the assembly of a group of top New Zealand talents, most of whom also feature on the album, the colourful and charismatic ‘Myele Manzanza & The Eclectic’.
To explore his passion for Jazz music Myele also formed The Myele Manzanza Trio whose modern and refreshing approach was recently debuted with their first international performances in Sydney and at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival opening for Los Angeles based maestro Miguel Atwood-Ferguson’s Ensemble.
MARK de CLIVE-LOWE (MdCL) is one of the most innovative producers and live performers you will find anywhere.
Anchored by the duality of his Japanese and New Zealander parentage and ignited by a love of playing piano at the age of four, it is no wonder this multi-national phenom has seen his explosive natural gifts blaze across the globe from NZ to the US, UK, Europe, Asia, Cuba and South Africa. Whether you call him artist, producer, composer, pianist, performer, DJ, or selecta, titles are impartial to the marvel of Mark de Clive-Lowe (MdCL). Many try to classify this impressively fertile music journey, yet to identify with only one label belies the heavy scope of the ride. The piano set the course, the keyboard is the vehicle, and with the drum machine as the fuel, the relentless skill of MdCL is underscored by a rare sonic sensibility. He’s an accomplished musician, originally sowing his oats in straight-ahead jazz, before taking the music far beyond.
A devastating live performer, the MdCL experience is marked by impromptu studio production created on stage from scratch, using drum machines, keyboards and effects. The end result: live remixes birthed on stage for each and every gig. With bold chops like this, to call him “prolific” is an understatement, having contributed to over 250 releases and being a first-call collaborator for a wide range of artists, including Jill Scott, Jody Watley, Leon Ware (Marvin Gaye/Michael Jackson/Maxwell), Dame Shirley Bassey, Sandra St. Victor (The Family Stand/Chaka Khan), amongst a slew of others.
Now based in LA after a decade entrenched in London, MdCL is ready to unveil his new album, Take the Space Trane on Tru Thoughts Records – feature collaboration with the Rotterdam Jazz Orchestra big band. It’s the latest step in the evolution of MdCL, who has cemented his reputation as the go-to man for anyone wanting his unique take on club music, progressive soul and urban alternative. Jazz big band tradition and the dancefloor collide head-on with arrangemtents of MdCL club classics, new compositions and dancefloor work out reinterpretation of the Duke Ellington-made-famous standard Caravan. MdCL is a revolutionary Quincy Jones for a new generation, melding the science of beat-making with the fluidity of organic musicianship.
MdCL’s CHURCH is his clubnite in residence in LA and NYC and touring worldwide – equal parts jazz club, live remix experiment and dance party. With guests including the likes of Mark Kelley (The Roots), James Genus (Herbie Hancock/Chick Corea), Jean Grae (Talib Kweli/The Roots), Nia Andrews (Janelle Monae/Common), Miguel Atwood-Ferguson (Suite for Ma Dukes), Casey Benjamin (Robert Glasper Experiment) and countless more alongside guest DJs including Questlove, DJ Spinna, Rich Medina and The Gaslamp Killer, CHURCH is a clubnite experience unlike anything else… wepresentCHURCH.com
MdCL’s potential is beyond convention. He’s one who can take it all on the road like no one else, with a solid fan base that bridges cities as far reaching as LA, NYC, Atlanta, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Tokyo and Sydney.
