Lenora Zenzalai Helm performs tribute concerts.....

Lenora Zenzalai Helm performs tribute concerts to South African Composer Benjamin Tyamzashe in Johannesburg, South Africa

DURHAM, NC, March 3, 2011- Lenora Zenzalai Helm, and The Zenzalai Group management announce two concert performances in Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa on March 4 & 5, 2011. Jazz vocal musician, Lenora Zenzalai Helm, will be presented in concert in a weekend of tribute concerts to South African composer Benjamin Tyamzashe.  The tribute concerts will take place at Theater on Track, a state of the art performance space in Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa on Friday, March 4th and Saturday, March 5th, 2011.  Other headliners on the bill include jazz vocalist Carmen Lundy and Cuban pianist Roberto Fonseca.  All headliners will perform a ninety-minute concert each night. The concert presenter, Harmonica Jazz Foundation, was founded in 2006 by CEO Nomalanga Siyothula, and is the first woman owned and managed jazz presenting organization in South Africa.  This weekend's inaugural tribute concert for the critically acclaimed, South African musician and educator, the late Dr. Benjamin Tyamzashe (1890-1978), was Ms. Siyothula's brainchild.  Benjamin Tyamzashe, affectionately called Dr. B-Ka-T, was considered the king of choral music, but composed for orchestra and chamber ensembles as well, and had the prestigious honor to compose music for the British Royal Family. Each night opens with Zweliyaduduma, comprising a South African orchestra and 250 voice choir, performing the music of Dr. Ba-Ka-T.  Ms Helm, Ms. Lundy and Mr. Fonseca will also perform Dr. Tyamzashe's works in tribute.   Visit the website of Harmonica Jazz Foundation at www.HarmonicaJazz.co.za Ms. Helm will perform with her trio of young musicians, all of whom are the product of the North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Jazz Studies program.  Pianist, Ryan Hanseler and drummer Larry "Q" Draughn, Jr. are both recent graduates of the Master of Music degree programs at NCCU.  Both musicians have already received high accolades early in their careers. Ryan Hanseler joined the esteemed faculty at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC as a Piano and Ensemble instructor in their Jazz Studies program.  Larry "Q" Draughn, Jr. was tapped to tour with Branford Marsalis' pianist and NCCU Artist-in-Residence Joey Calderazzo on his European tour. Rounding out Ms. Helm's trio is bassist Lance Scott, Jr., a senior in NCCU's Jazz Studies program. In addition to the two concerts Ms. Helm and the trio will conduct a master class and workshop for local musicians and students in Soweto, and appear on a local TV show, Weekend Live. The workshop will also be free and open to the public.  Helm says of her new young trio, "these musicians are bristling with excitement, and bring a new energy and perspective to my music".  Helm and her trio will perform original compositions and arrangements of jazz standards found on her five solo recordings.  Her most recent recording, Chronicles of a Butterfly is a live recording captured at Hayti Heritage Center of Durham, NC and is produced by Branford Marsalis. From: Carolyn McClair <mcclairpr@aol.com>