Moreira Chonguica

Chonguica in 2012

Moreira Chonguica (born 13 February 1977 in Matola, Mozambique) is an ethnomusicologist, saxophonist, songwriter and producer.[1]

Early life

Moreira was born in Matola just outside Maputo, the capital of Mozambique on 13 February 1977.

In order to continue his music studies Moreira moved to Cape Town in 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 (summa cum laude) in ethnomusicology in 2000.

In Cape Town, Moreira has established an impressive list of credits to his name.

Recording career

The world of modern jazz is ripe for reinvention and award-winning Mozambican born-and-based saxophonist, composer, producer, ethnomusicologist and social entrepreneur MOREIRA CHONGUIÇA is leading his peers, all under the watchful eye of Mother Nature.

“I’m in love with nature and people,” Moreira shares. “I interpret and challenge the status quo with my music. Birds see the world from above, flying free and seldom perching on the same tree twice. My musical curiosity forces me to keep moving and exploring, a lot like nature follows the seasons and adjusts to the elements in order to survive. If I don’t move and challenge my circumstance, that’s a fate worse than death for me.”

Moreira Chonguiça first introduced himself to the recorded music world 12-years-ago when he invited everyone on The Journey, the debut album that had purists and the contemporary set sitting up and paying close attention to a sound that has subsequently travelled the world over.

As no real surprise to those who know this creative genius and the music he makes as a solo artist, as the leader of the MOREJAZZ BIG BAND and THE MOREIRA PROJECT, Chonguica is celebrated a South African Music Award (SAMA) and multiple Mozambique and global collector of affirming accolades.

With seven albums crafted, internationally toured and applauded all the way from Japan to Brazil, Europe and right across Africa, Moreira is on a perpetual musical migration. “Each country, city or festival I perform in and at informs and shapes modern jazz that reflects my universal awareness,” he says. “I make music for the world from Maputo, a city in a country that’s a hotbed of creativity. I’m blessed to be immersed in it, while also actively informing and shaping it’s character with each new track, album and project I embrace.”

Moreira’s most recent reveal, 2017’s M & M – Moreira Chonguica and Manu Dibango, saw both music greats tipping their collective hat to evergreen jazz standards. With its honest African interpretation, recorded in Paris, France, each track elevated, resuscitated and invigorated with a raw energy amplified by both the album’s makers.

Moreira’s curiosity and maturity as an artist well-and-truly established, and confident in his delivery, sees him translating his musical obsession with the help of colours, chords and rhythm. “Light and dark, bright or grey, each aspect brings with it multiple layers,” he shares. “Happy, sad, fast, staccato, all wrapped in melodies intended to speak to every listener that’s unique to their reality. That’s the power of creation, in nature and in music making.”

With his instinct heightened and honed, Moreira’s perpetual journey is free of formula, informed by Moreira challenging himself and his audiences too. “Art is never finished,” he insists.

With years invested establishing himself as a musical force to be reckoned with, Moreira’s now filling that mature space with love and openness that leaves him vulnerable, yet completely qualified to navigate a path uniquely his own. “Music really is a universal language. The journey is ongoing…a luta continua. What inspires and motivates me today might be different tomorrow. Where it will take me next, that unknown truly excites me to create and interpret each road I travel on to get there.”

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 workshops.

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 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.

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:[2]

  • Day of Reconciliation 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 Jazz Festival 2007 as a special guest artist of Omar Sosa
  • 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 Jazz Festival 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.

South African Music Awards (SAMAs)

In 2007, Moreira’s debut album The Moreira Project Vol 1 - 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.[1]

Discography

  • The Moreira Project Vol 1 - The Journey (2005)
  • The Moreira Project Vol 2 - Citizen of the World (2009)
  • Khanimambo (2011)
  • MP Reloaded (2013)
  • Sensasons (2014)
  • Live at Polana Serena Hotel (2015)
  • M & M: Moreira Chonguica & Manu Dibango (2017)

References

  1. 1 2 Milton, Evan (10 May 2009). "A complete winning package". Tonight. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  2. ↑ "Moreira Project - Original Brand of Jazz". AllAfrica.com. 24 June 2010. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
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