Climbing the ladder Fret, by Fret

IF Jonathan Rubain’s junior church band hadn’t had two guitarists, his whole career may have turned out quite differently. “I was one of those two guitarists – and we didn’t have a bass player. So I decided to switch. I was 15 at the time,” recalls Rubain.

He’s now nearly double that age, and one of Cape Town’s hottest bass players on the jazz funk, R’nB circuit. Rubain has been slapping and popping up a storm, building up a distinct style which incorporates solid funk roots, gospel and ghoema chops and Cape jazz with effervescent solo lines.

With numerous festivals (including The Cape Town International Jazz Festival and Jazzathon) under his belt, plus successful recordings, international tours and sold-out live shows to his credit, Rubain clearly made the right decision that day in the Shiloh Pentecostal Church in Hanover Park.

To celebrate that choice, and his successive musical journey, he’s presenting a unique show at the Baxter titled How Did I Get Here.

“It’s going to be something quite different to what I’ve done before,” explains Rubain. “Normally I’m used to playing with a large band, including maybe a brass section and backing singers. But here we’re going acoustic, just piano, percussion and double bass, with Nur Abrahams on guest vocals. I’ll be singing and playing electric bass over this.”

Rubain says that the show is basically his musical story. “It traces where I started, and where I am today. Over the years many different people have supported me, and this is my way of giving back by telling how it started, and what I went through to get here today,” he says.

“It’ll also be about who I played with, the different musicians who inspired me. It’s quite personal and revealing,” he admits.

How Did I Get Here will feature all original, all new compositions – and a personal narrative. “It’s taking me out of my comfort zone, I can tell you that,” smiles Rubain. “I’ve always liked theatre, especially the work of David Kramer, and also solo comedians like Marc Lottering. So in this show I’ll be doing storytelling, which is a bit like a one-man show.”

Rubain credits a number of local musicians – legends, really – for encouraging him and giving him the space to learn and play as he was growing up.

“I met Mac McKenzie (bass player and guitarist with The Genuines, The Ghoema Captains) and Hilton Schilder (keyboardist with The Genuines, The Ghoema Captains) when I was in matric. They were like the best ‘music school’ I could ever have experienced,” he recalls. “I played my first jazz gig with them, ever.”

As he developed his own sound – influenced by Cape ghoema, gospel and jazz – Rubain started to perform with more Cape Town jazz legends, including guitarists Errol and Alvin Dyers, and the late saxophonist Robbie Jansen.

“These guys were like musical fathers to me. They have my greatest respect, and I consider myself lucky to have been able to play with them,” he says. “It wasn’t just about the music, either. They taught me how to make the right choices in my career, they encouraged me to compose my own music. These were life lessons – and I guess they didn’t want me to make the same mistakes they may have made.”

Rubain was also in the last show that featured singer Zayn Adam, just before he died. “He was a guest in our show Love, Jazz and Duets. I feel so blessed that his last gig was part of our show,” says Rubain.

“He was a beautiful person, apart from being a great musician. I have so much love for him. And he had so much time and respect for us young artists. He couldn’t hurt a fly, and you would want spend time with him. He was the very best person to have on a show, he brought calmness. I miss him so much right now,” admits Rubain.

Other musicians that he admires – specifically bass players – include local heroes Sipho Gumede and Musa Manzini. “It was the way these guys played that made me realise I can be a lead bass player,” says Rubain, who is a particularly melodic bassist, often using a second bass player to underscore a song while he plays solos and leads above the beat.

“I also like (American fusion jazz bass player) Gerald Veasley – in fact, I met him at this year’s Cape Town International Jazz Festival. He had actually seen me playing at the Jazz on the Rocks Festival earlier in the year – he was also a guest – so that was kind of great,” laughs Rubain.

But perhaps his biggest hero is Cameroonian Richard Bona, who plays bass, composes, and sings. As a lead fusion bass player, one who combines African melodies and rhythms with contemporary jazz, Bona is probably at the top of this game. “Man oh man – what an inspiration,” enthuses Rubain.

So if Rubain’s show is titled How Did I Get Here, does this imply the musician thinks he has arrived at his set destination?

“Not at all – it refers to where I am now,” explains Rubain. “Which I am very happy about. But there’s still more that I am working towards. I’d like to become a prominent music producer, a live entertainment producer. I don’t want to be an artist who sits and waits for a gig. I want to make things happen for myself and for others.”

Rubain produced his previous two shows at The Baxter Theatre – Intimate Nights Chapter II and I'm in Love with a Guitarist– which he says has all been part of building himself as a producer.

“I believe in creating a platform. I also believe in climbing the ladder, step by step. I don’t want to be an overnight success who flies around the world for five years and then nobody can remember them afterwards,” says Rubain.

“Besides,” he says. “I have a family now, a wife and two children. I need them to say that I did well. And I want to leave an empire behind!” he laughs.

Whether you’ve followed Rubain on his musical journey, or are just getting to know about him now, his show How Did I Get Here is bound to reflect the integrity, talent and creativity that makes this one special bass player.

l How Did I Get Here is at the Baxter until April 18. Tickets: R120. Book: 021 680 3989, 0861 915 8000, www.baxter.co.za