The Dukes to reunite for one night only

For dedicated ballroom dancers, it is the stuff that dreams are made of. Former members of the legendary dance band, The Dukes Combo, now scattered all over the country, will meet in Durban on 20 April for a once-off reunion concert.

The seven accomplished musicians, Rama Pather (saxophone), Gabriel Joseph (trumpet and vocals), Gordon Padayachee (drums), Mark Pillay (saxophone and vocals), Ryan Joshua (keyboards), John David (bass guitar and vocals) and Don John (rhythm and lead guitar), at various times played with The Dukes Combo as the group was known for many years after it was founded in 1958 by Dee Sharma. 

‘The Dukes Unite’ concert will be the main act at a dinner and dance at the Point Yacht Club on Sunday, April 20 at 6pm. The band will play ballroom, rock, pop and Latin American music. While ballroom dancing enthusiasts will be dressed to the nines in ballgowns or black tuxedos and bow-ties, those who have two left feet are also urged to attend to enjoy the soul-stirring music of days gone by.

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Durban dance events host and the director of Men in Black Events Ltd, Siva Naidoo, said until a few years ago, vibrant western-influenced dance music dominated the social life of large numbers in the Indian community, especially during weekends when ballroom dance floors were filled to capacity. 

“For more than 50 years, Indian dance bands ruled the roost at Durban nightclubs and hotels that Indians were allowed to frequent. Many dance schools came into being with accomplished dance teachers. That was the era when dance bands such as The Dukes Combo pulled in the crowds. As dance bands began fading due to the loss of key members, recorded music became more popular. However, there is something about live dance music by a talented band that cannot be reproduced digitally and that’s what we hope to do by bringing together the old hands from The Dukes Combo during Dee Sharma’s era,” said Naidoo.

Gordon Padayachee who co-ordinated the singers and musicians for ‘The Dukes Unite’ said he and many musicians who had a close association with Dee Sharma from the days when he led the navy band at SAS Jalsena in Durban as well The Dukes Combo, decided to reignite the music of yesteryear as a tribute to Sharma as well as to offer serious ballroom dancers a night to remember.

“Five of the musicians who will perform on April 20 played at The Dukes Combo’s 25th anniversary event at Durban City Hall which was recorded live. If there is still the longing to hear dance music and hit the dance floor, dust off those dancing shoes and burn the dance floor at the Point Yacht Club,” said Padayachee. For bookings, call 067-272-2983 or 074-999-2628.