TUCAN TUCAN

Based in Cape Town

VIDEO CLIPS:
Miela

The desire of a group of musicians from different cultures and nationalities such as South Africa, Argentina and Mozambique, to unite and fuse different styles of music, resulted in the launch of TUCAN TUCAN. Through its music, TUCAN TUCAN overcomes boundaries, breaks down barriers, brings people together and embraces diverse cultures. TUCAN TUCAN uncovers and explores music in all its aspects: A wealth of ideas, rhythms, sound, instruments and songs. More vibrant than ever, TUCAN TUCAN strives to entertain audiences from all walks by bringing rhythms and melodies that are appealing to a wide audience and yet incorporating a taste of something new that will open a magical door to new musical experiences. The show is an enchanting journey that captures the audience with soulful sounds to energetic uptempo compositions, colourful exotic dancing and band-audience interaction.

The band's musical style has been described as a kaleidoskope - where and whenever you listen to this music, it's colourful variety fascinates and captures the listener. Latino rhythms like salsa, samba and bossa nova, and African elements such as those utilised in Kwasa Kwasa, Marrabenta and Ju Ju are used in the compositions. With these elements, a unique sound is created, which appeals to both local and international audiences. With lyrics in Spanish, Portuguese, English and African languages (including Sesotho, Xhosa, Zulu, Ronga and Shangaan), Tucan Tucan aims to promote interaction between diverse cultures.

TUCAN TUCAN has released 2 Cds:’Xiluva’ and ’Make a Difference’. The song 'Slow Jam' reached the top 10 on Heart 104.9 FM, one of the most popular commercial radio stations in Cape Town, and maintained this position for several weeks. 'Slow Jam' was included on the "Heart and Soul of Cape Town" 104.9 FM compilation. 'Conga Loca' was included on the "North Sea Jazz Festival" compilation 2002. 'A re yeng' and 'Ratanang' have enjoyed extensive airplay on popular radio station Kaya fm and have been included on three Sheer Sound compilations. The video clip of 'Ratanang' was nominated for the best Jazz Video on the Channel O music video Awards. This song and its video have been broadcast extensively on Mozambican TV and radio. The track ’Hold on’ from TUCAN TUCAN’s new release is currently on the Heart 104.9 Fm top 10 charts and is receiving airplay on Gauteng Radio Stations. Its video is currently broadcast by Channel O, SABC channels and MTV base. Song ’Sizani’, also from TUCAN TUCAN’s new release, has been included on the Cape Town International Jazz Festival compilation 2007.

Past performance highlights include:

North Sea Jazz Festival 2002
Villa Celimontana Jazz Festival 2004 in Rome, Italy
Appletizer Summer Concerts at Kirstenbosch Gardens 2002, 2003 & 2007
Oude Libertas Amphitheatre Concerts 2005
Jazzathon 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Salsa Festival 2005 at Signal Hill
Jazz on the Rocks 2005 at Oude Kraal
Verao Amarelo International Festival in Maputo 2005
Johannesburg International Joy of Jazz 2006
Sekunjalo Jazz Concert 2006 - Baxter Theatre
Tribute Concert to Gito Baloi 2006 in Maputo, Mozambique
The Woordfeest 2007 in Stellenbosch
Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2007
Standard Bank Jazz Festival Grahamstown 2007

TUCAN TUCAN has performed at numerous private functions including:

Opening of the Cape Town International Convention Centre
J&B Met 2005 & 2006
Commonwealth  Educators Conference's -Moyo Restaurant 2006
Tourism International Association function- Moyo Restaurant 2006
Pfeizer Awards Ceremony- Table Bay Hotel 2006
NY Eve function at Commodore Hotel- Waterfront
Gary players Golf Awards 2006- Arabella Kleimond
President cup Golf Awards 2006- Somerset West.
Mayors party 2006- 2007 CTICC
Nike Function- Two Oceans Marathon Awards 2007
SABC News Function at Parliament 2007
Vodacom mothers day -Waterfront 2007
To mention a few...

The band is also known for its involvement in community-based educational projects around Cape Town's previously disadvantaged locations . The ”Music Mindset Outreach Project” (MMOP) is a TUCAN TUCAN initiative to promote an interest, respect and appreciation for music of diverse cultures through interactive workshops and perfomances conducted in schools. TUCAN TUCAN has helped the community over the years by performing for numerous community projects and fundraising events such as ”concerts in the park” Organized by JCQ, Turfjamp fundraising concerts, concert for children with AIDS at Westridge Civic Centre 2006, Gito Baloy’s tribute concert 2006, and Camps Bay Primary fundraising concert to mention a few.

Extract of some REVIEWS

“A firm favourite with Michell’s Plain music lovers, multi-culural band TUCAN TUCAN delighted once again and performed a number of new compositions including 'Make A difference'.”
Plainsman 15th Feb 2006.

“ Mowbray town hall will reverbarate with Latin rhythms and salsa beats when
TUCAN TUCAN and Salsa Candela take to the stage on Satruday..”
Tetler, 23rd March 2006

” An upbeat, crossover communique jam-packed with a wealth of influences ranging from Latin-jazz to chacarera, marrabenta and hi-life, Make a difference is the result a brilliant cross-cultural exchange” Cape Times; 22nd December 2006

” This band rocks. Actually, it’s more like they sing, dance, jive, groove, and jump for joy, just because they can. And although they handle some serious themes in their lyrics, you albsolutely cannot feel blue listening to their songs.” Die Son; 22nd March 2007

BAND MEMBERS

FRANK PACO
Renown drummer, percussionist and singer FRANK PACO, has developed a unique style after working with bands like Sakhile, Loading Zone, Virtual Jazz Reality, Sheer Sound All Stars and great artists such as Jimmy Dludlu, Miriam Makeba, Brenda Fassie, Judith Sephuma, Hugh Masekela and Jonathan Butler amongst others. Frank is an experienced session musician having played in more than 20 albums from artists like Jimmy Dludlu, Mc Coy Marrubata, Sheer Sound All Stars, Musa Manzini, Wanda Baloyi, Jonas Segwangwa and Gito Baloi to name a few. He has also participated on major festivals  such as the North Sea Jazz Festival at the Hague for four consecutive years and the New Orleans Jazz Fest amongst others international festivals. Frank has taken part on the 46664 Mandela AIDS Concert playing alongside the band Queen backing artists such as Jimmy Cliff, Anastacia, Angelique Kidjo, Youssou N' Dour, Dave Stewart, Andrews Bonsu, Johnny Clegg, Roger Taylor, Brian May, Peter Gabriel and Bono amongst other international artists. Besides his drumming, Frank's charismatic voice can be heard on the Coca-Cola Add "I am going home" on a worldwide broadcast.
Frank also holds an Honours' Degree in jazz Performance with distinction from the University of Cape Town. He is the leader of TUCAN TUCAN and has composed and arranged all the band's music.

MURIEL MARCO
Innovative pianist MURIEL MARCO, embarked on a journey as young woman from Argentina to South Africa with the desire to explore and discover the roots of rhythm. She studied at the University of Cape Town completing her degree in composition and arrangement with distinction in Ethnomusicology. Muriel's warm voice can be heard on the album Hope for Aids released this year. Muriel is also a founding member of TUCAN TUCAN and has written and arranged most of the original music.

XIXEL LANGA, Mozambican singer, composer and a very dynamic entertainer, started performing professionally in 2002. In 2004 she did backing vocals for prominent Mozambican band Kapa Dech and renown Brazilian artist Gilberto Gil.She opened with her own band Gito Baloi's concert in Mozambique and participated in the Nelsprite Jazz Festival together with Ray Phiri and Kapa Dech. In 2005 Xixel took part of a concert by Senegalese group Awadi. Xixel is also part of Mozambique Noise Project: a Mozambican-Austrian colaboration.

ANGELO SYSTER, a promising young guitarist, started playing guitar at the age of 13. He has become a season musician, playing for numerous bands including N2, Live Wire and Cross Over to mention a few. Angelo has also done some stints with some of the well-known acts around, including renown bassist Sammy Webber. With him, Angelo played as the supporting act for ‘Earth, Wind and Fire’ in their tour to South Africa, at the Jazzathon 2005 and at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2005.

HELDER GONZAGA
When it comes to laying a solid bass line for a band to groove on, allowing creative ideas to flow, HELDER GONZAGA indeed is the man to call. Having recorded with various  well-established South African artists including the sensational guitarist Jimmy Dludlu, and Saxophonist Moreira Chonguica, HELDER displays the ability to gracefully turn the music into a magical experience. He has completed a Jazz Performance Diploma at the University of Cape Town.

TEXITO LANGA,
drummer/percussionist born in Maputo, Mozambique, started his career at the age of 9 when he enroled at the National Music School. He performed with artists such as Chude Mondlane, Chico Antonio, Ernest ‘khabeer’ Dawkins, Eero Koivistoinen, Tony Yucatan, Jeff Maluleke, Tlale Makhene and Gito Baloi, to mention but a few. He also participated in major festivals world wide,  including Urban Voices, Expo 2000, Hannover, St. Olav Fest, Forde, Folk music international and the Cape Town International Jazz Festival

CINDY GIBBONS has extensive experience as a performer having sang in numerous shows as a backing as well as lead vocalist. She did lead vocals in two Mike Mcullagh shows: “That 80’s Show” and “Myths and Legends”. In 2002 she sang for the Tibute to Boney M in the Canary Islands and in 2004 Cindy was contracted by On Broadway Theatre in Spain and Germany where she did backing vocals in a Tribute to Robbie Williams & Christina Aquilera and lead vocals in a Tribute to Donna Summer. She also performed in the “Crazy Elvis Show” and with the Fusion Hip Hop Crew at Ratanga Junction in 2006.
Cindy is also a co-owner of Global Shack, a company whose main objective is to use performing arts as a life skills communication medium.

Saxophonist, composer, and arranger BUDDY WELLS has had the pleasure of performing and recording with numerous well-known South African and overseas musicians.   Projects in which he has been involved in band leadership, composition and arrangement include Tribe 2001- present (performed at North Sea Festivals in Cape Town 2002 and in Den Haag Netherlands 2002, and Swedish Jazz Celebration in Stockholm 2006, Grahamstown Arts Fest 2006), Kusasa 1994 - 1997(Winner of the 1995 SAMIX Best Unsigned Band Competition), and The Truly Fully Hey Shoo Wow Band 1995-1998(Nominated for the 1997 SAMA Award for best Contemporary Pop Album). He has performed with the likesFeya Faku, Judith Sephuma, Moses Mololekwa, Manu Dibango, Miriam Makeba, Bheki Mseleku, Simpiwe Dana, Joe McBride,  Musa Manzini, Carlo Mombelli, Marcus Wyatt, Victor Ntoni, Voice, Adamu, Interzone, Dondo, Gerald Veasely, Loading Zone, Flat Stanley, Vusi Khumalo, Ernie Smith, Thandi Klaasen, Abdullah Ibrahim, Gloria Bosman, Thandi Klaasen, Tina Schouw, Allou April amongst many others.