A Moment in music history: Kesivan and The Lights record live at the Baxter
Kesivan Naidoo, a Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year, and internationally acclaimed drummer, composer, and bandleader now based in Basel, is joined by a remarkable ensemble. Picture: Louis Botha for PACT
Image: Louis Botha for PACT
The ‘Freedom in Sound’ national tour reaches its historic crescendo in the Mother City on Saturday, May 10, 2025, when Kesivan and The Lights take the stage at the iconic Baxter Concert Hall for one extraordinary night.
A performance that will be captured live for the band’s upcoming album and documentary, and you’re invited to be part of the audience.
Celebrating 30 years of South African democracy through jazz, this special concert marks the culmination of a powerful musical journey that began at Journey to Jazz in Prince Albert, swept through Durban and Johannesburg, and now comes home to Cape Town - where many of these jazz brothers first found their voices.
But this isn’t just another gig. This is an audience experience, where the energy in the room becomes part of the story.
It’s a rare opportunity to witness the making of a landmark album that honours South Africa’s jazz giants - from Bheki Mseleku to Abdullah Ibrahim - while weaving in brand-new compositions and re-imaginings that speak to the present and future of this vibrant genre.
The ‘Freedom in Sound’ national tour reaches its historic crescendo in the Mother City.
Image: Louis Botha for PACT
Kesivan Naidoo, a Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year, and internationally acclaimed drummer, composer, and bandleader now based in Basel, is joined by a remarkable ensemble: Bokani Dyer (piano) and Darren English (trumpet), also Young Artists of the Year, CharleyRose (saxophone, France), Fabio Gouvêa (guitar, Brazil) and Joan Codina (bass, Spain).
Notably, three members of the ensemble - Naidoo, Dyer, and English- are alumni of the University of Cape Town’s South African College of Music (UCT SACM).
Their return to the Baxter stage is more than symbolic - it’s a celebration of roots, growth, and the power of South African musical education on a global stage.
“This is more than a concert,” says Naidoo. “It’s a time capsule. A collective expression of where we’ve come from, and where we’re going. This album will live on – and the audience becomes part of that story.”
Expect explosive improvisation, never-before-heard arrangements, tributes to the fallen legends of SA jazz, and even an electrifying feature of Mandela’s iconic release speech -reimagined as part of the ensemble’s sonic tapestry.
Limited tickets are available via Webtickets. Doors open at 18.30pm.
IOL Entertainment