Top Jazz Muso Jonathan Rubain to Open For Matt Bianco At Grandwest

Jazz muso Jonathan Rubain joins a dynamic 7 piece youth band to open for the sensational UK jazz funk band Matt Bianco at the GrandWest Arena next month. Rubain is a lead bass player who hails from Hanover Park on the Cape Flats in Cape Town. His first big break many years ago was at the Cape Town Jazzathon where he performed with his own band and then also featured as a guest performer with Jazz legends Spencer Mbadu, Robbie Jansen, Hotep Galetta and Allou April to bring an audience of more than 5000 people to their feet screaming for more.

It was here that Rubain's evident talent had huge appeal with an international audience. Rubain was recently part of the line up at the 2013 Cape Town International Jazz Festival where his band performed to a packed venue on the Moses Molelekwa stage. He has also performed at major jazz music festivals in Europe, Malaysia and Reunion Island. He is also responsible for organising Community Concerts in Hanover Park and works closely with the CeaseFire Project that bring communities as they unite through music. Rubain also works closely with the ward Councillor for Hanover Park, Antonio van de Rheede. Rubain has worked with many big names in the local and international music industry, such as BeBe Winans, Jimmy Dludlu, Robbie Jans, David Kramer and Zane Meas. He has produced one solo album and one DVD with saxophonist Donveno Prins.

Matt Bianco has a repertoire of music that spans over more than 20 years - the band has managed to mould a distinct vibe out of jazz, funk, Latin, fusion, pop, and perhaps even a tinge of rock to create an uplifting sound that is both contemporary and everlasting. Matt Bianco was formed in 1982 by the late Kito Poncioni (bass), Mark Reilly (vocals) and Danny White (keyboards), all originally members of the band Blue Rondo A La Turk. Well known hits that include "Half a Minute", "Don't Blame it on that Girl", "More than I can Bear", "Wap Bam Boogie", "Good Times", "Yeh Yeh", and "Dancing in the Street" are just some of their A list collection songs that await the audience at the Matt Bianco Live performance in Cape Town in December. The band is currently performing concerts and jazz festivals worldwide to promote their latest album entitled "Hideaway".

The Cape Town Jazzathon will also be re-launched at the Matt Bianco concert, in anticipation of the next Jazzathon event in 2014. MATT BIANCO LIVE IN CAPE TOWN is presented by Par Kan Entertainment. The performance is on Monday 2 December 2013 at 8pm at the GrandWest Arena and tickets cost from R195 to R325 per person via Computicket or 08619158000.