Adamu is an Angolan singer/songwriter who has lead a genuine wandering minstrel life, traveling and playing in Congo, Zaire, Gabon, Cameroon and Namibia before settling in Cape Town. He is of Angolan and Congolese decent, countries rich in musical heritage; and this is reflected in his original compositions; an Afro-Latin fusion of musical styles and languages. Adamu sings in Portuguese, French, English, Spanish, Kicongo and other central African languages. A versatile performer, his sets range in feel from high-energy kwasa kwasa and afro-beat to more gentle jazz and African ‘world' music. Adamu has shared stages with African giants Manu Dibango and Salif Keita, and has supported Crosby, Stills and Nash on tour.

He collaborates with some of the finest Cape Town talent, including Buddy Wells the sax player. His music is gentle and beguiling, much like the waves off the coast of his native Luanda. The water there is warm and the waves gentle and regular. That's his music.Often performing solo, where he gets to exhibit his soulful, evocative voice, it's when joined by his band (sax, flute, bass and drums), that one experiences Adamu's full musical scope and exuberance.

Afro-Fiesta is a group of highly talented musicians who enthusiastically blend mastery of their instruments with a fusion of styles from Makosa and Afro-jazz to Latino. The name reflects the many countries and cultures of the band members.

Band leader Mermans Kenkosenki emigrated from the Congo to South Africa and was originally a member of the Young Bakuba Band. In 1999 he went solo but soon formed the Brothers' Band which grew and evolved into Afro-Fiesta: Mermans on drum and bass guitar, MC on congas and guitar, Jibriel Omonga, singer and percussionist, Felix “Papi” Garemua on lead guitar, Alfredo on Bass, Junior on drums, Christian on keyboards, Chibo, Tentino, Mavakala, Bova and Jason.

Mermans and his fellow musicians have been popular at Cape Town jazz venues like, Dizzy's Jazz Café, Café, Mama Afrika, Chapman's Peak Hotel, Kennedy's Cigar Lounge, Africa Junction and Marco's African Restaurant.

In 2004 Mermans signed a deal with Mohamed Fall of Vibrations Studio to produce Afro-Fiesta's first album.

Reza Khota was born in Johannesburg in 1977 and was introduced to the guitar by his father.

He began his formal training with Jeremy Karodia at the age of ten, studying rock and classical guitar as well as chord theory. He later studied classical guitar and improvisation with Faizel Boorany, who fired his enthusiasm for experimental jazz, the classical avant-garde and progressive guitar music. After enrolling for his BMus degree at Wits University, he furthered his classical guitar studies under David Hewitt.

Reza has since received master-classes from Norwegian guitarist Vegard Lund and the Austrian crossover guitarist/composer Helmut Jasbar.

Awards

• Numerous SAMRO bursaries and merit awards
• First prize in the National Classical Guitar Competition (1998), adjudicated by the renowned Czech guitarist/composer Stepan Rak. He also received master-classes from the maestro during his visit to South Africa.

Reza now holds a BMus degree with a distinction in performance, a Performers Certificate with distinction from the Trinity College of Music and a Masters degree with distinction from Wits University.

Reza performs regularly on the South African circuit and has extended his musical prowess to include Jazz and Indian Classical music. Kesivan Naidoo is the 2009 Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year for Jazz. He is one of South Africa’s leading young musicians, frequently touring and performing in several parts of the world.

He was born in 1979 in East London and started playing drum set age 10. He became principal percussionist with both the Orchestra and Drummer for the Big Bands at Hudson Park High School (1992 - 1996). In 1993 The Orchestra went on tour to Germany, France and England. He made his professional debut in 1994 and was a member the National Youth.

BIENYAMEEN PLAYS THE GUITAR, MANDOLINE, BOUZOUKI, CHARANGO, CONGOS, DRUMS, PIANO RECORDER AND IS ALSO A VOCALIST. HE PLAYS MUSIC FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES NAMELY; GREECE, RUSSIA, BOLIVIA, PORTUGAL, INDIA, SPAIN, ARGENTINIA, CHILE, BRAZIL, TURKEY AND ISRAEL.  BIENYAMEEN HAS LECTURED IN MUSIC AT THE UNIVERSITIES OF CAPE TOWN, NATAL AND THE WESTERN CAPE.

THE CAPE ARGUS CRITIC, DERICK WILSON, DESCRIBED HIM AS; "BRILLIANT AND A VIRTUOSO ON ANY PLUCKED INSTRUMENT.” "A GUITARIST WITH FINGERS NIMBLER THAN SPEEDY GONZALES ON AMPHETAMINES.” AT THE 2005 KLEIN KAROO KUNSTE FEES, BIENYAMEEN WON THE ‘KANNA AWARD” FOR HIS MUSICAL DIRECTION OF THE DANCE PRODUCTION OF BLOOD WEDDING.

BIENYAMEEN HAS PERFORMED AND ACCOMPANIED SEVERAL LEADING FLAMENCO ARTISTS INCLUDING SINGERS, DANCERS AND GUITARISTS NAMELY, LA TRUCO, TALEGON DE CORDOBA, JUAN MEIRA, JOSE SALINAS, JOSE PANDERO, JOSE ANTONIO, EMELIO DE DIEGO, JUAN SOTO AND PACO EL LOBO FROM PARIS. BIENYAMEEN HAS PERFORMED IN INDIA, MAURITIUS AND SEYCHELLES, WHERE HE HAS PERFORMED FOR A SAUDI ARABIAN PRINCE AND OIL SHEIKH.

BIENYAMEEN IS AT PRESENT THE MUSICAL DIRECTOR FOR THE LA ROSA DANCE COMPANY. HE IS ALSO THE LEADER OF THE LATIN BAND "LOS GITANOS”, WHICH IS BASED IN CAPE TOWN. LOS GITANOS HAS SHARED THE STAGE WITH INTERNA

Bienyameen has recently performed in a fusion concerts with Siva Manie, India’s leading percussionist and very recently done “Secret Passions” with Abijeet Pohankar ,of Buddha Bar fame,who India’s leading Keyboard player.

CABRAL ARMANDO: guitarist, composer, songwriter, bandleader arranger & producer

Since 1994, guitarist, composer, songwriter, arranger, producer and bandleader João Cabral Armando has been a passionate musical innovator committed to the exploration of many different art forms on the African landscape.

Cabral has numerous original compositions within the Afro-Jazz musical tradition, combining both traditional and modern elements of jazz. Although he is drawn to the sounds of West, Central and Southern Africa, and to South American and Latin music, jazz remains his first love.

Orquestra Cuba Libre is a hot new musical group based in Cape Town, offering an authentic Afrocuban experience by showcasing both the nostalgic Cuban sound of the 1950's and the Salsa sound of the new millennium called "Timba" with a local South African twist.

At the heart of Cuba Libre is Cuban Percussionist, Vocalist, Composer, Arranger, Songwriter, Producer, Teacher and Musical Director; Minel Oreste “West” Melendez. Minel brings Cuban authenticity and personal experience. He has ventured outside of the Salsa genre and boasts performances with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Celine Dion, Natalie Cole and Oscar De Leon amongst others. Early in 2007 Minel started Cuba Libre with a group of local gifted artists from different musical and ethnical backgrounds: Oliver Schenk (percussionist), Bokani Dyer (pianist), Nick Green (trombone), Justin Sasman (trombone), Buddy Wells (saxophonist and flute player), Orlando Venhereque (saxaphonist), Andre Webb (bass guitar), Graham Julie (guitarist), Sakhile Moleshe (vocalist) and Xixel Langa (vocalist). Sakhile is one of the vocalists who adds an exciting dimension to Cuba Libre, he fuses African flavour into the sound by spinning his Xhosa and Zulu magic with the Cuban sound to create an authentic African feel. The group’s electrifying stage presence and the up tempo beats and rhythms will transport you to Cuba.

Cuba Libre is unique and guarantees to expand your mind and move your soul.

MINEL ORESTE WEST MELENDEZ

DNA Strings are one of South Africa's best-known instrumental bands. They have won awards for Best Live Performance, Best Duo/Group, Best Contempory Band and Best Contempory Album and have received numerous nominations including Best Instrumental Band.

The music, of which the essence is captured in their live shows, can be described as pulsating, energetic, uplifting, passionate and powerful. They have become known for a dynamic, interactive, vibeing show that has the crowd clapping, dancing and cheering, always leaving them wanting more. Their live show is a showcase of their fusion of styles which include: African, Irish, South American, Traditional Folk and even some North African Arabic sounds. Flamenco Guitar, Violin, Drums, Bass Guitar and a multitude of percussion from all over the world dish up their ethnic sounds. Their sounds have taken them to other parts of Africa, the Edinburgh Fringe festival in Scotland the Seychelles and even a show in the Royal Albert Hall.

Greg Hadjiyorki Georgiades... multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire plays the acoustic nylon, oud, bouzouki, sarod and oudtar and is a member of 5 different projects, STRINGS&SKINS, VIVID AFRIKA, The JAzzZOMBIES, The SUR BANDITS and The AQUARIAN QUARTET all of which have released acclaimed albums. He has also collaborated with and/or played on many other albums with artists such as Miriam Makeba, Simphiwe Dana, McCoy Mrubata, Madala Kunene, Anna Davel, Tony Cox and Syd Kitchen on his 'Africa is not for Sissies' album. Greg spent a few years in the UK while playing in Europe during the 80's and has played all over Southern Africa as well as the Seychelles, Zanzibar, Reunion, Namibia and Lesotho in every major music and arts festival.

He has also collaborated and performed with international acts from France, Morocco, Reunion and Algeria including trumpeter Eric Truffaz, oud player singer Fethi Tabeth, sitarist Brigette Menon with the group Mukta, guitarist Bob Brosman(USA) with accordianist Rene Lacaille(Reunion), as well as French spacefunk group NO JAZZ. He has recently completed some vocal compositions for a film and is busy recording with an electric world music group called GORDON'S SUITCASE for their follow up to their last 'Good Girls Like Good Music' album.(..on which Greg also features)  More recently he has, together with Steve Newman and Ashish Joshi, begun performing and touring as The STRINGS&SKINS TRIO. An album is in the pipeline. 

• The Crypt (Cape Town)
• The House of Parliament
• Freedom Day Festival 2003
• SA Music Week 2003
• Swingers
• G-Spot
• Cape Town Jazzathon 2003/2004/2005/2006/2007
• Green Dolphin – Jazz Impressions 2004/2005
• JCQ – Concerts in the Park series
• Mannenberg’s Jazz Café
• Spier Wine Estate – Moyo Restaurant
• May Day Rally (for COSATU) 2004/2005/2006

JOÃO CABRAL ARMANDO: guitarist, composer, songwriter, bandleader arranger & producer

Since 1994, guitarist, composer, songwriter, arranger, producer and bandleader João Cabral Armando has been a passionate musical innovator committed to the exploration of many different art forms on the African landscape.

Cabral has numerous original compositions within the Afro-Jazz musical tradition, combining both traditional and modern elements of jazz. Although he is drawn to the sounds of West, Central and Southern Africa, and to South American and Latin music, jazz remains his first love.

Do you need to create a Mediterranean atmosphere?

Are you looking for a unique finishing touch to your special event?

Look no further – Book these experienced Musicians, who work together since 1995 and have charmed and pleased with their Music so many people all over South Africa and from all over the World. Their flexible versatility with energetic or relaxed Music has enlivened so many:

• Weddings
• Banquets
• Birthday parties
• Company promotions
• Product launches
• Garden Parties
• Theme evenings – French, Italian, Greek, Balkan, Spanish, Gypsy etc.
• Barmitzwahs
• 21^st Birthdays
• And Many more.

They have performed at venues such as, La Masseria Restaurant, Henry's Pub & Restaurant, Cape Grace Hotel, Table Bay Hotel, V&A Waterfront, Groot Constantia, Constantia Uitsigh, Lanzerac Hotel, Nooigedagt Estate, Langverwagt Estate, Zeevenwacht Estate, Grand West Casino, Golden Valley Casino – Paarl, Willowbridge Shopping Centre, Morgenhof Estate and many more…

They can perform acoustic or amplified. Depending on the size of the event and budget they can appear as a Duo, Trio, Quartet and so on, as a fully instrumental ensemble or with a Vocalist. The instruments are Accordion (Stanislav Anguelov), Violin (Jacek Domagala), Double Bass (Charles Lazar or Basil Heald), Mandolin (Orlando Firmani), Guitar (Basil Heald), Clarinet & Saxophone (Willy van Zyl) etc.

Repertoire: Sous le ciel de Paris, La Vie en Rose, C'est si bon, Reine de Muset, Aubade charmeuse, O sole mio, Oh Marie, That's Amore, Volare, Quando Quando, Back to Sorrento, Santa Lucia, La Paloma, Mattinata, Besame Mucho, Autumn leaves, Never on a Sunday, Zorba's dance, Y viva España, Spanish eyes, Klezmer Music from Eastern Europe and many more…

Innovative pianist, composer, arranger and singer Muriel Marco, embarked on a journey as young woman from Argentina to South Africa with the desire to explore and discover the roots of rhythm.

She studied at the University of Cape Town completing her degree in composition and arrangement with distinction in Ethnomusicology. Muriel is a founding member of world music afro-tropical band Tucan Tucan and has written and arranged most of the original music.

With her trio Muriel explores Argentinian folklore styles such as Chacarera, Zamba, Milonga, traditional as well as modern Tango compositions and Boleros from Central and South America. This trio gives an intriguing, original, non-intrusive atmosphere to restaurant, hotels as well as wedding receptions where background music is desired.

Nomfusi Gotyana (23) is a budding Afro-soul superstar from Khayelitsha that is causing an explosion in the South African media and live music circuit. With an incredibly powerful voice, rare physical beauty and electrifying stage presence, Nomfusi is ready to take on the world with her 6-piece township band.

Her music has a distinctive African flavour fused with 60’s rock, motown, R & B and gospel. Siphokazi and the late Miriam Makeba, as well as Western songwriters like Robin Thicke and Mary J. Blige inform the style of her songwriting, while she has the vocal ability and stage persona of power house singers like Whitney Houston and Tina Turner. Her lyrics are soulful, strong and outspoken, written in the language of her people. With a voice and a personality that transcend borders, she is guaranteed to attract world wide appeal.

MUSICIAN, COMPOSER, PRODUCER, TEACHER…. STAR

Winner of SAMA’s Best Newcomer and the Best Contemporary Jazz Album 2001, this talented guitarist plays afro-jazz standards and originals: an energetic and emotional fusion of Pedi music, modern elements and the traditional African. Known for his beautiful composition and his incendiary live performance- igniting the stage and the hearts of every single fan around the country with every performance - Selaelo’s international reputation is also growing in leaps and bounds. He has already shared the stage with several international stars including Jonathan Butler, Bob James, Kirk Whalum and more recently with Richard Bona.

In addition to the recent success of his landmark 2000 debut album PAINTED FACES achieving Platinum status for sales in excess of 60 000 units, his latest release ENCHANTED GARDENS has also achieved Gold status. The former gold miner is now mining the same precious metal, but armed with a guitar rather than a drill.

Stanislav Anguelov (or Angelov*) was born in 1967. He received his first Accordion as a present from his parents at age of 5. It was a very small size instrument – with 17 Piano keys on the right hand and 12 buttons on the left hand. However it did the job for sometime. He was a musical child. Besides playing his Accordion he loved singing.

In fact he started his performing career at age of 5 when he sang a song at a family member wedding. He started formal Accordion lessons at the age of eight in his native town Shumen (Bulgaria) with Vera Marinova. She happened to be his aunt, but he had agreement with her, that when he went for his lesson she was Mrs. Marinova and when they were at family gatherings she was Aunty Vera.

One year later he was offered to join the local children choir. At that time he had to decide – Singing or Accordion? It did not take long – Accordion won (He married an Opera Singer later!). At age of 10 he joined the Junior Accordion Orchestra, which was conducted by his Teacher Vera Marinova and a few years later he joined the senior Accordion Orchestra, which was compiled by advanced students and a few professionals. It consisted from 20-30 Accordions, Percussion, Bass or Bassoon and the repertoire was mainly classical scores, transcribed for Accordion Orchestra.

In 1984 he won a Gold Medal at the National Festival of Performing Arts in Bulgaria. During the 1980s he recorded several times with the Accordion Orchestra for the local Radio Station. In 1985 after passing successfully the entry exam he was accepted at The Academy of Music and Dance in Plovdiv-Bulgaria, where he studied with Prof. Peter Marinov (no family relation between Vera Marinova & Peter Marinov) and received a degree in Accordion in 1991, after which he taught at the "Constantine Preslavsky" University – Shumen.

Until 1992 he has taken part in competitions and concerts in Bulgaria, France and Poland as a soloist or member of different ensembles or Accordion Orchestra. In 1992 he moved to Cape Town–South Africa, where he performs, records and teaches.

Stanislav has done recordings for:

SABC – Classical Music – 1994-96

He has been featured in the following CD's of South African Artistes:

CD "Vladimir" (1997),

CD "Pascal sings Brel" (1999),

CD "Om te Breyten" (1999),

CD "Alpha" (2000),

CD "Equilibrium" - Koos Kombuis(2002),

CD "Tydloos" - Daniel Pascal(2003),

CD "'n Jaar in die Son" - Koos Kombuis & Valiant Swart(2003).

He released his solo album called "Stanislav" in 1997

CD "El Tango en Africa"of his Cape Town Tango Ensemble was released in May 2003.

In 2004 he was commissioned to compose a song and some of the Music of the Sound Track for the short film "The First and Last Love of Leonardo Lopes"

He is in a process of releasing a new CD "OPERA deLight" with the group Belle Voci.

He has recorded many times for Radio & TV adverts.

As a Symphonic orchestra member he performed together with Cape Town Symphonieta in 1999 at Sun City Super Bowl accompanying the British singer Elaine Paige.

In 2000 he joined the orchestra for the production of "Fiddler on the Roof" at the Arts Cape Theatre.

In 2001 he appeared together with his Cape Town Tango Ensemble in the production of the show "Tango del Fuego", written & directed by Martinus Bassoon at Oude Libertas Amphitheatre; Grahams town, Klein Karoo and Potchefstroom Arts Festivals; and in the TV series "Back stage" on E-TV.

In October 2003 he performed together with his Cape Town Tango Ensemble at the Bank Windhoek Arts Festival – Namibia, which was recorded and later broadcasted on Namibian National TV.

On 29 November 2003 Stanislav was invited to perform on "Nelson Mandela 46664 Concert" on Green Point Stadium–Cape Town, where he performed 2 songs "Say it is not true", where he accompanied Brian May & Roger Taylor from Queen and Dave Stewart and later in the program he played "Great song of Indifference", where he accompanied Sir Bob Geldof. There were over 40 000 people on the stadium and the concert was broadcast to an estimated audience of three billion people, which makes it the world's most widely distributed event.

In February 2004 he was invited by the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra to perform the Concerto for Bandoneón (or Accordion) and orchestra by Astor Piazzolla, which he performed at Cape Town City Hall and Endler Hall – Stellenbosch.

During 2004 he performed the leading Bandoneón part in the production of the Tango Operita "Maria de Buenos Aires" by Astor Piazzolla at Oude Libertas Amphitheatre; Grahams town, Klein Karoo and Potchefstroom Arts Festivals. Later same year he performed together with his Cape Town Tango Ensemble and Mark Hoeben & Ina Wichterich from Tango Cape Town at the Bank of Windhoek Arts Festival - Namibia.

In 2005 he performed with great success with his Cape Town Tango Ensemble at the KKNK. Later the same year Stanislav added a new and very important item to his instrument collection and that was his first Bandoneón, which led to his trip in 2005 to Buenos Aires to study with Bandoneón Maestros Ricardo Fiorio and Hugo Satorre.

In 2006 he repeated KKNK this time in two different shows: "Tango de la Buena Esperanza" – all shows were sold out and "All about Tango".

In 2007 he led an extended 6 piece version of his CTTE for a Tango item at "Fleur du Cap" Theatre Awards with Mark Hoeben & Ina Wichterich at Artscape Theatre. Later same year together with his CTTE he provided the Music for a scene in the German film "The time of the Snake"

Stanislav is a leader of the following Ensembles: Cape Town Tango Ensemble (Accordion, Violin, Piano & Bass); Blue Danube Trio (Violin, Accordion & Bass); Mediterranean Ensemble (Violin, Accordion & Mandolin). Besides that he very often accompanies opera singers. He also performs regularly as a Solo Artiste at Concerts or Corporate and Private Functions.

Stanislav is happily married to Violina and they have two children – daughter Kalina and son Peter.

Mandisi Dyantyis, a UCT Music School graduate, is heading for great hights. Specialising in trumpet and flueghel horn, he also composes, arranges and sings. On graduating, he was immediately scooped up to arrange the music for Isango/Portobello's production of Mozart's The Magic Flute – using only marimbas, percussion and vocalists. Opening at the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town, the show has traveled to the Young Vic Theatre in London and is due to open at the West End later this year.

Mandisi has also played with a number of bands and musicians, including the Jazz Workshop's “Biggish Band” and the Phambili Marimba and Brass Ensemble.

He also fronts his own band ‘Umcimbi'. Featuring Bokani Macha (piano) and Nomfundo Xaluva (vocals), this quintet of up and coming musicians offer high calibre Afro-jazz originals.

In 2006 Legendary Cape Town singer/musician and songwriter Tina Schouw, Moodphase5ive diva Ernestine “Ernie” Deane and well-known writer/ performance poet Malika Ndlovu pooled their talents to create a brand new performance of their original material entitled Womantide. This production is an anthem to life and the resilience of humanity in the face of great adversity. This trio of gifted women artists use their voices to honour the human spirit. “The show is a meeting of our parallel paths, merging our perspectives on life through our words, music and womanness,” says Tina.

“It's a magical synergy,” choruses Ernie, “ and because we collectively have so much to offer, the show is constantly evolving. We have some new material to share this time too.” Womantide is a particularly joyful performance since Tina, Ernie and Malika as independent artists have long been admirers each other's work. “I think that gratitude is a core ingredient that motivates us as individuals and permeates the process of making this offering to our audiences. It's a gift of appreciation. I feel extremely blessed to do the work that I love, but also to be able to publicly put an emphasis in what we as human beings can do with what we have, rather than our suffering or what we lack,” says Malika. The first performance of Womantide took place on a rainy Friday night in May 2006 at The Labia on Orange Street, playing to a packed house which gave them the first of many subsequent a standing ovations. Womantide later had performances at Kirstenbosch, the Baxter Concert Hall, at the Cape Town Festival and most recently the Cape Town International Convention Centre, for the 2008 Inter-Parliamentary Union's Head of Delegations event. The Womantide cast have subsequently been invited to perform at several private and public events, with these multi-skilled artists drawing on their rich and ever-expanding repertoire to present tailor-made offerings for each occasion.