SHEM MAHABEER - AFRO BLUE
Shemual Clinton Mahabeer is one of Durban's best, professional musicians, musical directors and m
usic lecturers. He completed a Bachelor of Practical Music in Jazz and Popular Music at the University of Kwazulu Natal (UKZN). He then went on to lecture at UKZN for 3 years in Jazz and Popular Music. In 2007 he was a member of the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Band.
He has been in the music industry for over 10 years and has performed at many festivals including The Grahamstown National Arts Festival, Joy of Jazz and the Cape Town Jazz Festival. He has shared the stage with many local and international artists including Khaya Mthetwa, Nadine, The Arrows, Simphiwe Dana, Trey Songs, Miguel, French Montana, Ron Kenoly, Tom Brooks and Hosanna Integrity.
Shem is currently a lecturer at the Campus of Performing Arts (COPA), where he teaches and inspires the learners to become true professionals in the music industry.
He has been on the TV shows Morning Live, Afro Cafe, Top Billing and his latest appearance was on MTV where he was part of the band for international artist French Montana at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2014.Shem has been nominated 3 times for the"Best Musical Director" at the Durban Theatre Awards.
He has served as musical director for the following shows:
Motown on Deck, Luther, Let's Hear it for the Boys (nominated for best musical director), Blondes on Deck, The Entertainer, Sing it Sista (multi award nominated), Celebration, Buccaneers, Hairspray, Ilembe Shows for the launch of the King Shaka Airport.
Shem was also the producer of the title track for the movie "White Gold," which is about the arrival of indians in South Africa in 1860.
Shem has performed with some of Durban's well known artists including:
Martin Sigamoney, Prince Bulo, Kody Chetty, Bruce Baker, Mageshen Naidoo, Philani Ngidi, Bongani Sokhela, Shaun Duval, Vanessa Moodley, Neil Singh, Gerald Sloane, Shaun Petersen, Natalie Rungan, Lenski Alfred, Andile Mseleku, Thuli Zama, Lauren Laing, Pume Zondi, Andrew Webster, Mortimer Williams, Timothy Moloi, Rory Booth, Bianca Le Grange, Stephen Van Niekerk, Elana Africa etc.
Some of the venues and festivals Shem has performed at include:
Cape Town Intenational Jazz Fetsival 2008 Joy of Jazz Fesitval 2007, Grahamstown National Arts Festival (2006, 2007, 2008), Flux Festival 2003, Heritage Day Festival, International Convention Centre (Durban and Cape Town), Bassline, Centre for Jazz and Popular Music, Zulu Jazz Lounge, uShaka Marine World, SAPREF, SAB, Suncoast Casino, Zimbali Lodge, Sibaya, The BAT Centre, King Shaka International Airport, The Catalina Theatre, The Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, House of Theatre.