Mike Rossi

Contrasts Of Cape Town

This tune's form is easily recognizable as a blues. What makes it fun and interesting to play is how the melodic ideas are contrasted over changing rhythmic feels. The piece starts off with a familiar Cape Town groove known as Cape Goema, which reflects the happy festival type atmosphere found in Cape Town when the New Year rolls around. Major dance and carnival like competitions take place on the 2nd day of the New Year and features energetic dance troupes in colourful dress, dancing and marching through the streets of Cape Town. The Mardi Gras atmosphere in New Orleans comes to mind when seeing and hearing the colourful display of local culture. As a Goema listening reference refer to Tsakwe by Abdullah Ibrahim on For Lydia and the Lion featuring Mike Rossi with the Darius Brubeck Quartet (Gathering Forces). 'Cape Town Collection: original tunes by South African composers' compiled by Colin Miller, includes a broad range of South African compositions including Goema style pieces such as Wesley Street by Alvin Dyers, Sonesta by Errol Dyers, and Soetwater by Jimmy Adams.