{"id":2212322,"date":"2025-12-26T01:12:28","date_gmt":"2025-12-26T01:12:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2212322"},"modified":"2025-12-26T01:12:28","modified_gmt":"2025-12-26T01:12:28","slug":"edenvale-blues-performer-collaborates-to-deliver-smoking-hot-entertainment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/edenvale-blues-performer-collaborates-to-deliver-smoking-hot-entertainment\/","title":{"rendered":"Edenvale blues performer collaborates to deliver smoking-hot entertainment"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The audience at Golden Acres, Sandringham, enjoyed Joyful Entertainment With Diversity (JEWD) on December 15, produced by Desiree Levin.<\/p>\n

The event featured a multi-talented line-up, including Alexandra Main Boys and Edenvale resident Smoke J Lawrence.<\/p>\n

Smoke J Lawrence performs at the JEWD.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Born in KwaZulu-Natal, Smoke J Lawrence learned to play guitar at the age of four, taught by his father.<\/p>\n

While music was a passion, football was his first love, and he pursued a football career from the age of 15.<\/p>\n

Also read: Edenvale blues light up Argentina<\/a><\/p>\n

In 2014, a fire in Port Shepstone destroyed his business and belongings, prompting a move to Edenvale.<\/p>\n

Unable to find employment, he started a tuckshop at the local public swimming pool.<\/p>\n

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Sanele Moyakhe and Pretty Ngcobo perform an a cappella piece. Photo: Naidine Sibanda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In 2016, Smoke returned to music, playing guitar privately at first. He discovered he earned more performing vocally, developing a sound rooted in traditional blues, call-and-response songs, and African musical elements.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a KZN-born musician, I include maskandi influences in some of my songs. We introduce blues to younger audiences through dance and storytelling,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

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Komani Hara performs a Spanish dance at the JEWD. Photo: Naidine Sibanda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Train symbol represents the journey of life through blues, the people met along the way, and memories created. Smoke described his performance with the Alexandra Main Boys as a highlight, praising their talent and Desiree Levin\u2019s guidance in interpreting his blues songs Ride the Train and Bluesmanbaby with pantsula dance elements.<\/p>\n

He noted that while he has collaborated with traditional Zulu dancers before, combining pantsula with blues was a first.<\/p>\n

Smoke shared the stage with Ian on acoustic guitar and Monty Traub on piano.<\/p>\n

Other performers included Komani Hara, Mark Lederman, Sanele Moyakhe and Pretty Ngcobo.<\/p>\n

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Blues artist Smoke J Lawrence is joined on stage by Mark Lederman on guitar. Photo: Naidine Sibanda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Smoke Train Blues Movement SA serves as a platform for cultural exchange, collaboration, mentoring, and preserving the blues, working with local and international artists.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe thank everyone who rides the Smoke Train with us and the venues that provide a platform for our music. Wishing everyone a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year,\u201d Smoke said.<\/p>\n

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The Alexandra Main Boys perform on stage. Photo: Naidine Sibanda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\n\t\t\t\tAt Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n