Profiled Musicians
Previous and ongoing bookings
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Buddy Wells
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Saxophonist, composer and arranger Buddy Wells has performed and recorded with many well- known South African and foreign musicians. Live performances include Manu Dibango, Miriam Makeba, Bheki Mseleku, Moses Molelekwa, Jimmy Dludlu, Joe McBride, Gerald Veasley, Vusi Khumalo, Abdullah Ibrahim, Herb Ellis, Gloria Bosman, Carlo Mombelli, Interzone and Jack van Poll.
He has recorded with Jimmy Dludlu (Polygram), Musa Manzini (BMG), Marcus Wyatt (Sheer Sound), Loading Zone (Polygram), Virtual Jazz Reality (Sheer Sound), Winston Mankunku Ngozi (Nkomo), Jack van Poll (October Jazz), Kaolin Thomson (Fresh), Gito Baloi on Smooth Africa (Heads Up), David Leadbetter (Lions Head), Blues Broers (Guava), Trully Fully Hey Wow Band (Lions Head), amongst others.
Projects in which he has been involved in band leadership, composition and arrangement include Kusasa (Winner of the 1995 SAMIX Best Unsigned Band Competition), and The Truly Fully Hey Shoo Wow Band (Nominated for the 1997 SAMA Award for best Contemporary Pop Album). Buddy was responsible for the brass arrangements on Jimmy Dludlu's ‘Echoes From The Past' which won two 1998 SAMA Awards for best Contemporary Jazz Album and for Best Newcomer.
Buddy has won many personal awards including 1994 Adcock Ingram Competition for Best Jazz Instrumentalist, and the 1996 SAMRO Overseas Scholarship Competition. He is a graduate of the SA College of Music at UCT with a First Class B.Mus. Honours (Jazz Performer).
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Duke Ngcukana
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The jazz-initiated know Duke Ngcukana as ‘a very hot jazz brass man'. Co-leader and founder of the Cups Nkanuka Big Band, a Living Heritage Ensemble comprising a 20 piece band, Duke and his brothers Ezra, Fitzroy, Cyril and Claude, have performed at the MACUFE, Cape Town International Jazz Festival, amongst others. He is comfortable playing Be Bop and Jazz in the Miles Davis mould, as well as African Jazz a – la – Hugh Masekela.
Whilst Duke has continued to perform locally with artists such as Oswetie, Pacific Express, Soul Jazz Men, Workforce and his brother, Ezra, and counts some of his musical highlights performances with The Dollar Brand Big Band in 1971 and Chris McGregor's Ensemble in 1987, his main role has been that of an educator and administrator. For example, since 1981, he has directed and conducted the 50 member strong Langa Adult Choir and developed the Chorimba and African Jazz concept, a fusion of choral and traditional Marimba music with jazz. Through this daring and unique concept, Duke has forged a style. He seems to exhibit instinctive talents, knowing what people want before they realise it.
Duke (named after the black American composer) Mkondo Ngcukana is the eldest son of Columbus “Mra” Ngcukana. He was born in the township of Langa in Cape Town, in 1948. He started playing music from the age of six through the Salvation Army where he was exposed to a wide range of brass instruments, including the fluegelhorn.
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Ezra Ngcukana
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Saxophone prodigy and legend, Ezra Ngcukana has played with numerous well-known bands, including Dollar Brand's Big Band and Louis Moholo's Spirits Rejoice along with Mankunku Ngozi and Duke Makasi. Born in 1954, he started playing the trumpet at eight and took up tenor sax in 1970.
In 1990 he released his debut album You think you know me produced by Zomba Records (London). Ezra also holds Bachelor Degrees in Science and Commerce, both from the University of South Africa.
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Gavin Minter
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Gavin Minter has played with The Genuines, Theta, Vusi Tusi, Chris Mcgregor, Thandie Klaasens, Tembi Mtshali and Johnny Fourie, Fat City, Wendy Oldfield, Jennifer Ferguson, Adamu, Tina Schouw, Blues Broers, Jimmy Dludlu, Judith Sephuma, Winston Mankunku, Hot House Flowers and the late James Phillips.
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George Mari Band
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Although George Mari's first love is jazz, he has appeared in a wide range of
musical settings including the concert stage and musical productions at
venues such as The Cellar, the Playhouse Theatre and the Barnyard
Theatre. George has worked as a trumpeter, pianist, composer and
arranger in Durban for several years. The George Mari Quartet, has brought his compositions to life, by performing them regularly at local Jazz venues as well as private and corporate functions in and around KZN.
George is also a member (trumpet) of the Cape Town Jazz Orchestra initiated by Abdullah Ibrahim in 2004.
He has performed at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival, his favourite performance being Steve Dyer's New Directions in South African Music. He is also involved in several community Arts projects and is/has been a member of the teaching staff for the Grahamstown Schools Festival, VUKA Arts Project (Bloemfontein) and the UKUSA Arts Programme (Durban).
He is currently the co-ordinator of the STEM Project – a music project operating in Cato Manor, Durban.
George released his debut album entitled Syringa Avenue in 2003 – a collection of original compositions which featured Roland Moses (piano), Bongani Sokhela (Bass) and Bruce Baker (Drums). In January 2006 George released his 2nd album, My Mecca, which features Melvin Peters (Piano), Bongani Sokhela (Bass), Bruce Baker (Drums), Debbie Mari (Vocals) and George Mari (Trumpet). In 2008, he released Charade – a tribute to Durban's older generation of musicians who have contributed to the longevity of the Durban ‘langarm' dance scene. The album features Sam Abrahams, Jerry Kunene, Jonathan Harris and Shaun Duval, Philani Ngidi, Mageshen Naidoo, Melvin Peters, Bruce Baker.
George has an MMus in Jazz Composition and Arranging
from the University of Natal. He teaches trumpet at the University of
KwaZulu-Natal. In 1995, while studying at UND, he was awarded a
scholarship to study trumpet under the tutorship of world-renowned
trumpeter Arturo Sandoval at Florida International University, Miami,
USA. He also had the opportunity to study with South Africa's legendary
Hugh Masekela who was the UND “Artist-in-Residence” for several months.
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Ivan Mazuze
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The Ivan Mazuze quartet mostly interprets jazz standards. Mazuze also performs with the Alvin Dyers quartet, Jimmy Dludlu and Loading Zone.
Born and educated in Maputo, Mozambique, saxophonist Ivan Mazuze came to Cape Town in 2000, where he is currently based. Ivan has performed with top south African internationally acclaimed artists, including Jimmy Dludlu, Judith Sephuma, Vusi Khumalo amd Hotep Galeta as well as top bands such as Tucan Tucan and Loading Zone. He has been featured at numerous international music festivals, including the International Jazz Festivals in Cape Town, and the Joy of Jazz Festival in Grahamstown and Johannesburg.
He studied piano, clarinet and saxophone, with clarinet as first instrument, at the Maputo National Music School. In 1998 he obtained a diploma in classical music from the school.
In 2002 Ivan obtained the Performers Diploma in music (jazz studies), and was awarded a distinction in jazz ensemble and jazz improvisation at the University of Cape Town (UCT). In 2005 he obtained a bachelor of music (Honours) in performance and that the degree was awarded in the first class (distinction) at UCT. In 2006 he graduated with a Master’s degree in musicology at UCT.
In 1993 Ivan participated in a workshop presented by renowned American jazz musicians Jackie and Renée McLean. He also participated in the Youth Link Music Festival in Johannesburg with music students from Maputo National Music School. In 1997 he gave a performance with Ernest Dawkins (American saxophonist). He also gave various live performances with "Wazimbo". In 1998 he joined the Ghorwane's Band and Maputo Jazz Band, and presented some live performance with Stewart Sukuma.
In 1999 Ivan joined the fusion band “Nondje”, which performed as part of Jimmy Dludlu's concerts in Maputo. During this year he also gave performances with Kappa Dech in Maputo, and performed with British jazz musicians with the Caroline Taylor Band.
The year 2000 saw him participating in the Old Mutual Jazz Competition, as well as the Chivas Regal Jazz Competition, and the University of Cape Town Jazz Festival. In 2001 Ivan was announced as the where he was the winner of the composition category of the Old Mutual jazz competition. He also joined the UCT Big band.
In 2002 he became a member of the National youth jazz band, directed by South African jazz saxophonist Barney Rachabane. Live performances include The North Sea Jazz Festival in Cape Town, the Joy of Jazz and Arts Alive in Johannesburg (with the Latin Afro group Tucan Tucan and UK trumpeter player Byron Wallen). In this year he also performed for American multi instrumentalist Bill prince's concert in Cape Town. Ivan also recorded for the jazz Impressions CD Vol.1, as well as Tucan Tucan's debut album intitled Xiluva.
2003 saw Ivan performing live at the Joy of Jazz Festival in Grahamstown, with the Mike Campbell Big Band, backing artist such as Salaelo Selota, Stefon Harris, and Gloria Bosman. He also once again performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Cape Town, with the National Youth Jazz band. Other performances include playing with the project Dondo by Vusy Khumalo and Lawrence Matshiza in Johannesburg and Durban. A highlight of 2003 was performing Ivan Mazuze in concert in Mozambique, at the French-Mozambican Culture Centre (CCFM).
In 2004 Ivan performed with Hotep Galeta at the Jazzatthon music festival in Cape Town. He also traveled with Tucan Tucan to Italy, where they performed at the Villa Celimontana. Other live performances include playing with Jaco Maria, as well as with Dereck Schippers at Joy of Jazz in Johannesburg. In 2004 Ivan recorded on the Jimmy Dludlu's album “Corners of my soul”.
In 2005, Ivan performed with Jimmy Dludlu in Cuba, Mozambique and across South Africa. He also performed with other renowned outfits such as Loading Zone and Strait and Narrow, as well as Mlungisi Gegana, Dereck Schippers and Tucan Tucan. He performed with Mlungisi Gegana at the international Jazz Festival in Cape Town.
In 2006 Ivan continued to perform with Jimmy Dludlu, Loading Zone. Other live performances include playing with the Alvin Dyers Quartet, as well as Judith Sephuma and Allou April with whom he also recorded. He performed in Middle East (Barhain) at the lifestyle event at Ritz hotel.
In 2007 Ivan performed in Mozambique (Coconuts) with his Ivan Mazuze group interpreting his own compositions. He performed again at the lifestyle event in Barhain at Ritz hotel. He recorded with a renowned Mozambican artist Stewart Sukuma.
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Mandisi Dyantyis
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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.
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Marcus Wyatt
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"Marcus Wyatt is a shining star in the sky of contemporary South African Jazz. Aware of the important legacy upon which he adds his fresh melodies, he nonetheless strives towards the definition of a novel sound, one which is consciously abandoning characteristically South African patterns, opening up for creativity beyond the accepted norms. His sound is subtle yet steamy, and the freshness and honesty of his lyrical approach is one of the reasons why this country can boast about a certain vitality in their jazz scene." - Henri M Yere - North Sea Jazz Festival (Cape Town)
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Neil Engel
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Neil Engel is a Johannesburg based trumpet player who is proficient in a number of genres including Jazz (swing/smooth/modern/african), Latin, R&B, Soul and Classical music. This 25-year-old emerging artist loves to take audiences on a musical journey designed to excite, uplift and bring joy to the soul.
Artists he featured and worked with include: Jimmy Dludlu, Tucan Tucan, Vusi Khumalo, Robbie Jansen, Allou April, Lesego, Themba Mkize, Kunle, Tlale Makhene, Mlungisi Gegana, Darius Brubeck as well as the hottest young projects around namely innerchild and reflections- featuring some of the countries most devastatingly ripping young talents. He’s also played, on an ad hoc bases, in many classical orchestras, big bands and various ensembles namely Cape Philharmonic orchestra, Junction 021, No Strings Attached, UCT Big band, UCT Symphony Orchestra to name a few. He also featured in the Soul on turf bigband featuring many other artists such as Sibongile Khumalo, Ringo, Demarge and others. Festivals where he also performed include the North Sea Jazz festival in Den Haag in the Netherlands as well as the Cape Town International Jazz festival. He was also a member of the National Youth Jazz Band in 2003/2004 sponsored by Standard Bank. Neil has also taught at various institutions such as the University of Stellenbosch in 2005/2006 where he taught trumpet and jazz improvisation. He was also involved in community projects in Cape Town.
Neil started playing the piano at age 10 and went on to complete a grade 8 diploma with Trinity College of Music at age 16. He began playing trumpet at age 14 in the Moravian Church Brass Band and was part of the Genesis project, a project designed to empower and expose underprivileged youths. He later spent a year taking lessons at Beau Soleil music school in Cape Town in 2000 followed by studies at university in 2001 where he completed a Bmus jazz.
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Robbie Jansen
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Robbie Jansen, alto saxophone and flute virtuoso, bandleader and vocalist, respected composer and arranger, is still at the forefront of Cape Jazz after more than 30 years in the music business.
His style is created by a fusion of musical influences: Cape Malay Goema, African rhythms, funk, salsa and pure jazz.
Robbie Jansen's has recorded and performed live with Pacific Express, Dollar Brand, Spirits Rejoice, Workforce, Sabenza, Abdullah Ibrahim, Duke Makasi, Stonpie Manana, and Basil “Manenberg” Coetzee, among others. Coetzee and Sabenza. He was at the centre of culture against apartheid, performing at various grassroots political and cultural events across the country.
Robbie has released 3 solo albums in his career: Nomad Jez in 2005, The Cape Doctor in 2001, and Vastrap Island in 1989.
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Shannon Mowday
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Performer, composer and arranger, multi-instrumentalist, Shannon Mowday has gained both local and international recognition as one of the new voices to emerge out of the South African Jazz scene. She has also gained notoriety in performing and writing in the many styles found in the diverse cultures of South Africa.
Shannon was awarded the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Jazz 2007 and obtained her BMus Jazz (hons) cum laude from the University of Cape Town.
Shannon’s music has featured in her bands ‘Galumphing’, ‘African Eyes’ and ‘Shannon Mowday quintet/quartet’, which have performed extensively in South Africa, Europe and Australia. She has also performed as soloist and band member of many local and international outfits.
She has recently recorded her debut cd, African Eyes (OZ) of her original compositions featuring virtuoso multi-instrumentalist James Morrison along with sought after Australian musicians including Cameron Undy, James Muller and Evan Manell.
International performances include events such as the Lord Mayor’s Appeal at the Guildhall in London, Darling Harbour Jazz Festival, Bassline, Thredbo Jazz, Norfolk Pines (Australia), Leipzig Jazz Days Festival’ (Germany), performances at the ‘New Morning Jazz Club’ (Paris, France), Silda Jazz Festival (Norway) and other performances at festivals and clubs throughout Scandinavia (Jive Jazzhouse –Den, Malmo, Nefertiti (Sw),Kultuurhuset Banken, Kjerringtorget, Bla and Siste Hamar (Nwy).
International collaborations include BURN!, North Sea Big Band ,Jazmyne (Scandinavia), SAFRA (France), African Eyes (OZ) (Australia) and 3 Continents Sextet.
European performances include features with the Brazz Brothers, Svein Olav Trio and the North Sea Big Band. International artists she has performed with include
Mike Del Ferro (Holland) Martin Sjostedt, Peter Asplund, Frederick Noren, Karin Hamar (Sweden) Arne Hiorth, Frank Bordahl, Eckardt Bauer, Hildegunn Oiseth, Morten Halle, Rune Nicholayson, Håkon Mjåset Johansen, Svein Olav Herstad (Norway),
Dave O Higgins (UK), John Fedchock, Douglas Masek and John Thomas (USA).
On the South African music scene, she has featured with artists such as Sibongile Khumalo, Themba Mkhize, Fana Zulu, Gloria Bosman, Judith Sephuma, Carlos Mombelli, Winston Mankunku, Kevin Gibson, Concord Nkabinde, Mark Fransman, Kesivan Naidoo and Schalk Joubert.
Local festival performances include Grahamstown National Arts Festival, Cape Town International Jazz Festival and Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, Cape Town Jazzathon, Klein Karoo Kunstefees and Volksbladfees
She appeared on local television as part of the band in Liriekeraai and Joltyd and has featured and recorded with artists such as Sarah Theron, Amanda Strydom, Mynie Grove, Taliep Petersen, Elsabe Zietsman and Lize Beekman.
She has recently composed and recorded music for television series Impresario with dutch pianist Mike Del Ferro.
As an educator, she was saxophone lecturer at the University of Cape Town, woodwind and band director at Diocesan Preparatory and High Schools and has given workshops in South Africa, Europe and Australia. She has also been involved in many community projects and is presently trying to establish a music academy in South Africa
Shannon has further invitations to perform in America, Asia and Scandinavia and will be performing as a soloist with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra in 2008.
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Winston Mankunku
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Winston monwabisi Mankunku Ngozi was born in Retreat, Cape Town in 1943. His musicality emerged at an early age and was carefully nurtured by his mother, Gertrude Ngozi. Having experimented with piano and trumpet, he subsequently took up saxophone in his mid teens.
Along with one in three families the Ngozi family was forcefully removed from their Retreat home and relocated to Gugulethu township, under the notorious Group Areas Act in the early “60”s. By this time Winston was already gigging extensively. His earlier influences in Cape Town included Midge Pike, Parks Joya, Cups and Saucers Nkanuka, Merton Barrow and Chris Columbus Ngcukana. John Coltrane was perhaps Winston’s greatest source of inspiration and his respect and admiration for Trane has endured right through Mankunku’s career to the present day.
South Africa’s Jazz was profoundly affected by apartheid and as the regime tightened its hold during the '60's, many musicians and singers went into exile. Musicians at home were discouraged even prevented from playing together “across the coulor line”. In 1964 Mankunku did a concert at the Cape Town City Hall under the pseudonym “Winston Man” and played behind the curtain, to avoid the possible repercussions.
In 1968 he recorded the famous Yakhal’ inkomo album together with Early Mabuza, Agrippa Magwaza, and Lionel Pillay. Although he received the Castle Lager “Jazz Musician of the Year” award, and despite the fact that the album sold well, and still does, (it has at least been released 3 times), Winston has barely received any financial reward.
Despite this Mankunku remained in South Africa and by now cynical of the S.A. Music industry he therefore simply resolved to take music to the people through live performances.
Over the years he has played with most of the South African top musicians that include among others Barney Rachabane, Chris McGregor, Victor Ntoni, Sammy Hartman, Chris Schilder, Monty Webber, Abdullah Ibrahim, Pat Matshikiza, Sandile Shange, Darius Brubeck, Roger Khoza, Robbie Jansen, the Soul Jazzmen, Bheki Mseleku etc. he has also performed with many international greats Like Chick Corea, Mcoy Tyner, Prof Joe Henderson, Prof Mike Rossi, Jack Van Poll, Dave Young, Manu Dibango, Toots Thielemans etc.
In 1975 he formed a band called “The Cliffs” which recorded an album entitled “Alex express” and subsequently embarked on a national tour in pursuit of promoting their album. Having been introduced by Johnny Gertze in 1976 Winston subsequently worked extensively with the pianist Mike Perry in the early 80s. This led to the recording of the acclaimed album “Jika” in 1987 as well as the formation of Winston and Mike’s label, Nkomo Records. Jika was recorded in Cape Town and in London and was used as the vehicle to convey protest messages to the apartheid government as it had songs like “Wajikeleza” and “Asiyapho”.
Mankunku’s international status grew in the following years. He toured Germany and United Kingdom (U.K) with Mike Perry in 1989. He toured Sweden and Norway in 1993. In 1996 he toured Belgium Twice with pianist Jack Van Poll. This tour included a memorable set with Toot Thielemans, who came in for two songs and ended up playing the entire show. In 1996 Mankunku and Perry recorded their follow-up album entitle “Dudula”. 1997 saw Winston recording “Molo Africa”.
In 2000 he was among musicians who graced the African stage at the North Sea Jazz Festival held at The Hague, in Holland. He has traveled to Brazil, Mexico, Sao Palo, Rome /Italy and Japan.
2006 saw him releasing his latest album entitled “Abantwana Be Africa” which still enjoys extensive success. He was the featured artist in two concerts that were billed as “Symphony Meets Jazz” and staged in Durban and Johannesburg respectively, In October 2007.
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