International drummer Marcus Gilmore at The Baxter for two performances 27th and 28th October 2023

International drumming and jazz virtuoso Marcus Gilmore, collaborates with some of SA’s finest musicians at The Baxter for two performances only in October 2023.

Rolex music fellow and international drumming sensation, Marcus Gilmore, will collaborate with some of South Africa’s finest musicians, in what is set to be the jazz spectacular of the year, for two concerts only, on 27 and 28 October 2023 at 8pm, at the Pam Golding Theatre at The Baxter.

 (Marcus better hope SA does not get to the Rugby World Cup final to be held on 28th at 9pm in Paris )

A graduate from the renowned Juilliard School and the Manhattan School of Music, Gilmore has been touring since the age of 16.

 He has performed alongside some of the world’s most well-known jazz artists, including Chick Corea (with whom he won a Grammy Award on 2019), Steve Coleman, Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Vijay Iyer, for Best Latin Jazz Album. He is the recipient of several awards, such as a Latin Grammy Award for his work with composer and pianist Chick Corea and was featured on the cover of the June 2019 edition of Modern Drummer magazine. 

Last seen in Cape Town as part of the Rolex Arts Weekend in February 2020, Marcus Gilmore heads to Cape Town to join top South African musicians, Darren English (trumpet), Benjamin Jephta (bass guitar), Linda Sikhakhane (saxophone), Tankiso Mamabolo (vocals) and Ntando Ncgapu (keys).

Gilmore will be paired with some of South Africa’s finest  jazz talent.

 He is joined on stage by trumpeter Darren English, who won the 2020 and 2018 Global Peace Song Awards. 

Bassist and composer Benjamin Jephta graduated from the Berklee Global Jazz Institute in Boston with a master’s degree.

 He has been described by the Mail and Guardian as “an artist hell-bent on defining a sound and identity of his own. Yet, it’s a sound that brandishes remnants of jazz tradition.”

Durban-born Linda Sikhakhane adds his musical prowess to the mix on the saxophone, having performed with some of the best local artists, including Brian Thusi, Barney Rachabane, Africa Mkhize and the late great  Sibongile Khumalo.

Soweto-born Ntando Ncgapu rounds up the band on piano, having performed extensively with many contemporary South African musicians and completing a summer semester programme at the Berklee College of Music.  Limited to only two performances  at the Pam Golding Theatre at The Baxter, on 27 and 28 October at 8pm. 

Tickets are R250 each and booking is through Webtickets online at www.webticket.co.za/baxtertheatre or at Pick n Pay Stores. 

As part of this limited tour Gilmore will deliver a workshop for aspiring student drummers from UCT’s South African College of Music and other surrounding music academies at The Baxter on Thursday 26 October.