Afro-tropical world music band - TUCAN TUCAN - News

Tucan Tucan featured in Sawubona Magazine - South African Airways

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

We have been delighted to received endless calls from fans and friends flying on SAA who read this WONDERFUL article on Tucan Tucan written by Richard Nwamba. Thanks a zillion to Mr Nwamba and SAA for this feature. The article couldn't possible have reflected our history, our music and our mission as a band in a better way.

"Tucan Tucan, a delicious South America Music Bird Seasoned with African Spices. Put simply, the music of Tucan Tucan is a delightful, amorphous mixture that refuses to be compartmentalised."

Ubuntu festival! Nelson Mandela Birthday celebration.

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Tucan Tucan took part in the Ubuntu festival- Nelson Mandela's birthday celebration. The band was featured on Die Son Newspaper and at a CCFM Radio interview.

World Economic Forum

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Tucan Tucan had the opportunity to perform at the World Economic Forum. We were the final act for the evening and had the pleasure to share the stage with artists such as Judith Sephuma and Freshly Ground.

Together with Afro pop artist SANGE, Tucan Tucan had dignitaries and heads of African States dance to our original music!

Tucan Tucan in Glamour and Gloria Movie!

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Tucan Tucan had the wonderful opportunity to take part in the German movie Glamour and Gloria. This movie features Tucan Tucan performing our original songs: Miele, Kilombo and Be what you want!

Proyecto 34s

Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Our music reached Argentinian TV!

Yes, Track 'Esa Morena’ was chosen as the feature track for the TV add of Proyecto 34s, Theatre Exchange South Africa – Argentina. Track ‘Esa Morena’ and ‘Si yo pudiera’ is featured in their website too!

Campaign for Healing

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Call on South Africans join in prayer

South African artists spearheaded a special day of prayer and reflection ahead of the upcoming national elections on April 22nd as part of their commitment to healing and building the nation.

Artists call on South Africans to join them in prayer and reflection ahead of National Election

This unparalleled event took place on March 20th, the day before Human Right’s Day. It saw the likes of Sibongile Khumalo, Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, Ringo Madlingozi, Lebo Mashile, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Tumi (of Tumi and the Volume), Simphiwe Dana, Gloria Bosman, Abigail Kubheka, Jabu Hlongwane, Zubz, Percy Ingle, Gcina Mhlophe, Sylvia Mdunyelwa, Busi Mhlongo, Tina Schouw, Frank Paco and Muriel Marco taking the lead in turning the nation’s attention to the need for healing.

Known as ”˜Forgive and Be Forgiven’, this very special gathering fittingly took place at The Freedom Park, a 52-hectare site on Salvokop in Pretoria which was opened in late 2007 as a national and international icon of humanity and freedom.

The gathering gave ordinary South Africans the chance to join with their brothers and sisters across different racial, religious, political, social and economic boundaries and come together with one aim in mind: to act as a catalyst for people across the nation to forgive and be forgiven.

“The day offers us an opportunity to pray for release from the pain and hurt of the past. It’s about reclaiming our lost innocence and the greatness in our selves as a nation,” says Khumalo.

Adds Ashton Bodrick, Head of Marketing and Advocacy at The Freedom Park Trust, “We are partnering with the vision that was brought to us by Sibongile and her fellow artists because The Freedom Park is a place of healing for all South Africans.”

All artists involved in the ”˜Forgive and Be Forgiven’ event are driven by the sense that putting the spotlight on spirituality can play a significant role in healing and taking South Africa into the light. In this, the initiative is reminiscent of the day in September 1992 when South Africans from all walks of life and all corners of the country stopped what they were doing at precisely noon, to take hands and pray for the future of the country.

“Seventeen years on, the challenges of that future are more than obvious to all of us and we believe we have a duty to stand up and do what we can to get all South Africans thinking again, as they did back in 1992, about what it means to be committed to a bright and beautiful future for this country,” Khumalo says.

The programme of events for March 20th saw the performance of a specially written song by Khumalo, Ringo, Tumi (of Tumi and the Volume), Zubz and Lebo Mashile. This song will serve as a leitmotif for an ongoing campaign to keep South Africa “forgiving and being forgiven”.

Says Ringo, “The song is very much intended to be a healing anthem for the country that can be used for generations to come.” To listen to the song click here

The March 20th event began with representatives from various faiths performing rituals and sessions according to their beliefs in the Isivivane area of The Freedom Park. It has been chosen for the inter-faith ceremonies because of its standing as a resting place for the spirits of those who died in the struggles for humanity and freedom.

The main session of the day’s proceedings started at 17:00 and took place at Sikhumbuto — a place of remembrance for those who have died and also a place for invoking their assistance in current and future affairs. All those gathered were asked to make symbolic gestures of cleansing at the entrance to Sikhumbuto, and were then be led in prayer by the representatives of the different faiths that make up South Africa. The releasing of white balloons, lighting of candles and drumming also took part of the ceremony.

”˜Forgive and Be Forgiven’ is supported by SAMRO with other artists and organisations expected to join over the coming weeks.

J & B met

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0700

“Glitz and Glam”, yes! it was all about the razzle dazzle this year @ the J & B Met! Check pictures of the Tucanas looking absolutely stunning wearing the latest designs from SLATE BOUTIQUE

Golden Horn Award winner!

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Muriel Marco (Tucan Tucan's co-founder) and Ghalik Jacobs won the Golden Horn - SAFTA awards for best music composition for film (Confessions of a Gambler). Tucan Tucan' track Slow Jam and Conga Loca were featured in this film!

Tucan Tucan in Namibia

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Our trip to Nambia was a wonderful experience we won't easily forget!!! The people from Nambia showed us unpaired hospitality. warmth and appreciation for our music.

The band enjoyed multiple radio and TV interviews and one of our shows will be broadcast in its entirely by the National Namibian TV channel.
Here are some newspaper articles featuring the band:

Tucan Tucan excites Grahamstown

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Tucan Tucan has got the following review in SAMRO website:

Posted on 08 July 2008 - 09:30
http://www.samro.org.za/index.pl/tucan_tucan_excites_grahamstown

"Tucan Tucan, an eight-piece Afro-tropical world music band from Cape Town, was in its element at the Standard Bank Jazz Festival this past week, so much so that they enjoyed a 40-minute live broadcast coverage from one of the public broadcaster's talk radio stations.

The focus was drawn to members of the octet, who include Frank Paco (drummer/percussionist); Muriel Marco (pianist); Buddy Wells (saxophonist); Xixel Langa (vocalist); Angelo Syster (guitarist); Helder Gonzaga (bassist);Cindy Gibbons (vocalist) and Texito Langa (percussionist/drummer). These individuals happen to be SAMRO authors and composers in their own right.

It was each member's ability to play with impressive independence, yet still maintain tight interactions with the other instruments, that left the audience in awe.

By all accounts, the audience felt as if they could leap on to the stage and join the band but, had to be content with applauding uproariously.