Moreira chonguica
Encyclopedia
Moreira Chonguica is an ethnomusicologist
, saxophonist
, songwriter
and producer
.
(Mozambique) on 13 February 1977.
In order to continue his music studies Moreira moved to Cape Town
(South Africa
), where he graduated from the University of Cape Town’s South African College of Music with a degree in jazz performance and an honours degree in ethnomusicology (summa cum laude) in 2000.
In Cape Town, Moreira has established an impressive list of credits to his name.
on several tracks.
Working with such an accomplished musician is a dream coming true for Moreira:
The album specialises in contemporary Africa
n fusion jazz and was recorded by Moreira’s own independent recording label, MoreStar Entertainment (Pty) Ltd. Produced by Mark Fransman and Moreira, the album created a new awakening in jazz lovers as well as capturing a niche for the "fresh ear".
s.
In 2000 Moreira was chosen by City of Chicago
to be part of the Cultural Exchange programme co-ordinated by Ernest Dawkins
alongside a few other South African musicians.
In 2002, he was runner up in the annual Adcock Ingram Jazz Competition run through UCT
.
These in addition to numerous corporate, government and private events. Moreira’s band comprises some of Cape Town’s hottest young jazz musicians.
This funky, hip and happening musician is full of energy and passion and it shows when he plays that sax, whatever the occasion, whatever the event.
The 2009 follow-up, The Moreira Project Vol 2 - Citizen of the World was also nominated for three SAMAs: Best Album Design, Best Contemporary Jazz Album and Best Producer for Moreira Chonguica and co-producer Mark Fransman. This time he won two, Best Contemporary Jazz Album and Best Producer.
Ethnomusicology
Ethnomusicology is defined as "the study of social and cultural aspects of music and dance in local and global contexts."Coined by the musician Jaap Kunst from the Greek words ἔθνος ethnos and μουσική mousike , it is often considered the anthropology or ethnography of music...
, saxophonist
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
.
Early life
Moreira was born in Matola just outside MaputoMaputo
Maputo, also known as Lourenço Marques, is the capital and largest city of Mozambique. It is known as the City of Acacias in reference to acacia trees commonly found along its avenues and the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. It was famous for the inscription "This is Portugal" on the walkway of its...
(Mozambique) on 13 February 1977.
In order to continue his music studies Moreira moved to Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
(South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
), where he graduated from the University of Cape Town’s South African College of Music with a degree in jazz performance and an honours degree in ethnomusicology (summa cum laude) in 2000.
In Cape Town, Moreira has established an impressive list of credits to his name.
Recording career
Moreira's debut album, The Moreira ProjectT Vol 1–The Journey was released in December 2005 and received overwhelming response from the industry as well as from the media on both local and international levels. The album expresses not only his phenomenal song writing ability and energetic performances but also his major personal coup of securing the support and talent of international jazz legend NajeeNajee
Jerome Najee Rasheed , known professionally as Najee, is an urban jazz saxophonist and flautist.He attended New England Conservatory of Music in Boston where he studied with George Russell and Jaki Byard....
on several tracks.
Working with such an accomplished musician is a dream coming true for Moreira:
The album specialises in contemporary Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
n fusion jazz and was recorded by Moreira’s own independent recording label, MoreStar Entertainment (Pty) Ltd. Produced by Mark Fransman and Moreira, the album created a new awakening in jazz lovers as well as capturing a niche for the "fresh ear".
Other Interests
Not only is Moreira a consummate performer, but he is also strongly involved in the promotion of education. When the album was launched in his home town of Maputo, he donated R10 000 to start a campaign to renovate the Escola Nacional de Musica (National School of Music)—the school he attended as a youth. Whenever he goes back to Maputo, he makes sure to spend some time at the school conducting workshopWorkshop
A workshop is a room or building which provides both the area and tools that may be required for the manufacture or repair of manufactured goods...
s.
Community work and teaching
In Cape Town Moreira is involved with a community school in Kensington called Xulon Musictech run by Camillo Lombard and Ezra Delport. Here he teaches saxophone and life skills to young aspiring musicians on a regular basis. In addition, he tutors young aspiring saxophonists free of charge on an ad hoc basis.In 2000 Moreira was chosen by City of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
to be part of the Cultural Exchange programme co-ordinated by Ernest Dawkins
Ernest Dawkins
Ernest Dawkins is an American jazz saxophonist, principally active in free jazz and post-bop.Ernest Khabeer Dawkins was a neighbor of Anthony Braxton as a child. He played bass and drums early in life before switching to saxophone in 1973...
alongside a few other South African musicians.
In 2002, he was runner up in the annual Adcock Ingram Jazz Competition run through UCT
University of Cape Town
The University of Cape Town is a public research university located in Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. UCT was founded in 1829 as the South African College, and is the oldest university in South Africa and the second oldest extant university in Africa.-History:The roots of...
.
The Moreira Project
Since 2005 he has led his own band The Moreira Project which has played at most of Southern Africa’s top festivals namely:- Reconciliation Day Concert 2005
- Cape Town Jazzathon 2006
- Summer Concerts at Kirstenbosch 2006
- Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2006
- African Renaissance Festival 2006
- The Gito Baloyi tribute concert, Matola 2006
- Cape Town International 2007 as a special guest artist of Omar SosaOmar SosaOmar Sosa is a composer, bandleader, and jazz pianist.-Biography:Sosa began studying marimba at age eight, then switched to piano at the Escuela Nacional de Musica in Havana, where he studied jazz. Sosa moved to Quito, Ecuador, in 1993, then San Francisco, California, in 1995...
- Grahamstown Jazz Festival 2007
- Joy of Jazz 2007
- Arts Alive Festival 2007 as part of Omar Sosa’s Black Team
- African Renaissance Festival 2007
- Obz Festival 2007
- Cape Town International 2008 as a special guest artist of Najee
- Inaugural Mozambican Jazz Festival 2008
These in addition to numerous corporate, government and private events. Moreira’s band comprises some of Cape Town’s hottest young jazz musicians.
This funky, hip and happening musician is full of energy and passion and it shows when he plays that sax, whatever the occasion, whatever the event.
South African Music Awards (SAMAs)
In 2007, Moreira’s debut album The Moreira Project Vol - The Journey was nominated for three South Africa Music Awards: Best Instrumental Album, Best Contemporary Jazz Album and Best Producer for Moreira Chonguica and co-producer Mark Fransman, winning the Best Producer award.The 2009 follow-up, The Moreira Project Vol 2 - Citizen of the World was also nominated for three SAMAs: Best Album Design, Best Contemporary Jazz Album and Best Producer for Moreira Chonguica and co-producer Mark Fransman. This time he won two, Best Contemporary Jazz Album and Best Producer.