Artists & bookings
340ml
In a musical scene dominated by just a handful of starkly hewn genres, 340ml brew a music concoction that pulls down boundaries with ease and is set to make a lasting impact on the global music scene. The band’s sound is truly eclectic, bringing together traditional music from around the world: Mozambiquan Marrabenta Latin, Afro and Jazz; and then mixing it up with Dub, Rave, Rock and Hip Hop.
The southern African four-member group, currently based in Johannesburg but with its roots firmly planted in Mozambique, includes Paulo Jorge Chibanga (drums), Rui Soeiro (bass), Tiago Correia Paulo (guitar) and Pedro da Silva Pinto (vocals, sampler). All four are skilled musicians with an eclectic approach to playing that makes for compelling listening. Paulo and Tiago also contribute to the off-kilter, jazz-inflected hip-hop created by Tumi and the Volume.
In 2003, their first album, Moving, earned critical praise and opened the doors to a seriously busy gigging schedule. The album is effortlessly evocative, casting a musical glow that speaks of hazy beach sunsets, languid afternoons and blissed out summer fun. After years of hectic touring, the band finally settled down to record their latest album, appropriately entitled Sorry for the Delay, which was released in 2009.
The years between included tours around South Africa and further: to Mozambique, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Reunion Island, England and France. Their diversity has given them broad appeal, making them favourites at festivals including Obz Fest, Mpumalanga Arts Festival, Rocking the Daisies, OppiKoppi, The Grahamstown National Arts Festival, Splashy Fen, The Cape Town International Jazz Festival, Bush Fire (Swaziland), Harare International Arts Festival (Zimbabwe) and Rage for the Revolution (Reunion Island). 340ml have also been excited and honoured to perform at events like Sakifo Paname in Paris, The Bar One 25 Hour Party, The Most Amazing show TV Launch, The South African Film, Video and TV Awards, the Metro FM Awards and as support for the Black Eyed Peas at the Bellville Velodrome and Coca Cola Dome.
While their albums have received wide acclaim and they enjoy pop success on radio and television, 340ml remains a thrilling and constantly surprising, experimental live act, giving audiences a great joyride of sounds and sing along.
Keep up to date with gigs at www.myspace.com/340ml
Albert Frost
Rocking the Blues for two decades, Albert Frost is an all-round master guitarist who performs intimate solo shows and electrifying fusion of blues and rock and roll funk with his Trio band. He has performed and recorded with some of the world’s best musicians including Ali Farka Toure, Vusi Mahlasela, Arno Carstens, Koos Kombuis, Valiant Swart, Riku Latti, Louis Mhlanga and Simon Orange. He has shared stages with The Rolling Stones, R.E.M. and Simple Minds and performed for Nelson Mandela. Alongside Arno Carstens, he shared the stage with Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen and the Pixies.
Albert has played all major festivals in South Africa as well as having had the honour of performing solo at the famed Isle Of Wight festival, where he also did a collaboration with James Walsh from ‘Starsailor’. He’s played 11 Grahamstown Festivals, 8 Oudtshoorn KKNK festivals, 6 years at Aardklop, did a 4th performance at Woodstock, Splashy Fen – and incredibly, 2009 marked Albert’s 23rd Oppikoppi Festival performance.
New Porn was formed in 2003 when Albert joined forces with Arno Carstens. Albert collaborated with Arno in the making of both Arno’s solo albums, on lyrics and in defining the essence of how the album sounds. “Another Universe” went gold and Arno won Best Rock Album Award at the SAMA Awards. In the March 2005 they supported REM on their world tour. Frost brought a raw quality to the music and his extended blues background gave it a delicious flavour. With the successes of the Internationally released, “The Hello Goodbye Boys”, he spent most of 2006 and 2007 touring with some of South Africa’s finest musicians, the legendary Brendan Jury (Urban Creep & Transky) on strings and keyboard, Jerome Reynard (OHM & Nine) on drums and Warren Leicher (Plum) on bass guitar.
Having added his talent to the albums of many artists, and recorded the live solo album, Catfish in 2002, Albert recently released his first solo studio recorded EP, “Devils & Gods”. The music video of the title track, “Devils & Gods” was voted one of the Top 5 downloads for 2009.
He is currently working with the latest South African super-group, The Gods, but plans for 2010 are focused on re-inventing himself as a solo artist.
“The music could speak volumes more, but the man (Albert Frost) is a veritable living legend at 30 and fondly dubbed “SA’s best blues guitarist” by way too many people to be denied a bit of hero worship” – Jess Mitrani – Levi’s Music Mag 2008
Babu
The Quartet Babu uses Indian classical inspired composition with Jazz and Western classical idiosyncrasies. The compositions make use of Ragas and Talas as well as Jazz forms and harmonies. The music searches for the heart of the raga’s tale, its eternal sound sentiment. Using the language of the Tabla. The band is rhythmically charged, creating pulses within the pulse and rhythms shifting in and out of phase, setting alight an ecstatic melodic improvisation. The word is out on this fresh ensemble, relentlessly pushing their musical abilities and engaging audiences in an ineffable dialogue.
“The colours and fusion of this young quartet reflect the South African mosaic. A union of genres, of rhythms and of sounds without compromise, virtuoso exploration of the major disciplines of improvisation seamlessly bringing together the traditions of Jazz and Indian Classical music. Babu sounds out the cultures with an intensity and staggering ease. One thinks of Shakti or Mahavishnu orchestra, but also hear Miles, Coltrane and Dolphy.” – Lorraine Soliman (Jazz Magazine)
The band features Standard Bank Young Jazz artist award winner Kesivan Naidoo on drums and cymbals, Reza Khota on guitar, Ronan Skillen on Tabla and extended percussion and Shane Cooper on Bass.
Blunted Stuntman
Born in England, 1973; settled in Johannesburg, 1981 – Leyton Smith AKA Blunted Stuntman was working in a record shop during the introduction of the compact disc and saw the House music/Rave culture explode onto the scene. With a great collection of music that was not 4/4 beats, he started publicly playing music at The Wings Beat Bar in Braamfontein and switched from playing just Indie Brit bands to Trip Hop and Breakbeat.
He is the originator of the club night “HEDPHUNK” and was resident at 206live, a landmark in South African breakbeat culture. With their support, he played at two I.C.E. raves to audiences numbering over 3000, where he complimented sets by The Runaways, Aphrodite, Derek Dehlarge, Jon Carter, Cut la Roc, Stanton Warriors and played at the Ninja Tune party. Since then he has shared the stage with Wagonchrist, Gavin Hardkiss, DJ Craze, Dieselboy, Freq Nasty, Mr. Scruff, General Midi, Baobinga, Krafty Kuts, and Matt Cantor.
With fellow beat freak and 206live partner, DJ Bob, he has toured nationally numerous times, including appearances at the Oppikoppi, Grahamstown, Up the Creek, Rustlers and Flux festivals. In 1999 the two opened District 206, a more intimate venue in Cape Town. Blunted Stuntman has been known to take over the Mother City, rocking Long Street, playing The Lounge, Joburg and Marvel. He was also a turntablist in 8-piece funk band, Golliwog.“Matress Mambo” and “Nasty” have been released on magazine cover mounted CDs and the band played every festival in South Africa including the North Sea Jazz Festival in Cape Town.
Back in Gauteng, Blunted Stuntman is a DJ to watch out for with performances at venues like Ruby Blu, Aldo’s lounge, Kitcheners Carvery, The Woods and a regular spot at Gin. He continues to appear alongside kick-ass acts like Zubz, Evoloxion Allstars, Boogieman, DJ Kenzhero and The Milk Bar Kid. His itchy feet send him to festivals around the country and this year marked his 12th consecutive performance at Oppi Koppi. In his free time he is the Project Manager for the Soul Candi Group.
Blunted Stuntman plays a party mix of Big Beat, Nu-Skool Breaks, Acid Funk, Jump Up Jungle and Chunky Funk House for the dancefloor and some Hi-Fi lounge/dub, Ninja Tune/Grand Central Hip Hop, Jazzanova, Kruder & Dorfmeister style coffee shop beats (“but Leyton can play anything”, ed.). From a festivals to cafes, he has played South Africa. He plans to take his ‘Elektrik ZA’ set international. He has access to a European passport and wishes to abuse it!
www.mixcloud.com/bluntedstuntman
www.reverbnation.com/bluntedstuntman
www.myspace.com/bluntedstuntman
www.facebook.com: leyton smith
Closet Snare
Closet Snare is a project involving a select group of talented and experienced musicians. The project had been conceptualized three years ago, and it is now that these much talked about ideas are able to become a musical reality. Closet Snare is a platform where the musicians performing may produce music without any boundaries, genres or trends. The band was created as a release for working musicians that are often faced with the tiring reality of being categorized in spite of their love and ability to create music that has no name. There is a strong jazz influence alongside beats ranging from Break Beat and Swing to Hip-Hop. There are moody slow tracks and tracks that display fast manic outbursts of free and improvised jazz. There are elements of quirkiness and sometimes almost humorous musical ideas that trickle through. These ideas are due to a variety of interesting and really odd records sourced by the outstanding turntablist, the well known Cape Town based SIBOT
The band features Marc Buchanan on Guitar, Sean Ou Tim on Bass, Kesivan Naidoo on Drums, Sibot on Machines and Lee Thomson on Trumpet and Flugelhorn.
Desmond and the Tutus
Formed in the December of 2005 in Pretoria, South Africa, Desmond & The Tutus plays an infectious South African flavoured dance punk.
Energetic, tongue in cheek songs and a frantic live show make Desmond & The Tutus an unforgettable act that is finally getting some much-deserved attention.
After three years of touring and spreading the uniquely positive Desmond jive around South Africa, the band finally settled down to release their debut album ‘Tuckshop” in July of 2008. With ample radio and television play, the diverse and surprising Tuckshop was instantly adored by fans and critics alike.
For fun, the band released the album separates on its blog and invited Djs and remixers to submit a remix of their favourite song. Before long, remixers from all around the world were submitting dance versions, electro versions and lounge versions, all of which are now posted on the band’s weblog.
With singles released abroad by Tigersushi Records (France) and Every Conversation Records (Japan), the band’s international reputation is steadily climbing and in February of 2009 Desmond & The Tutus embarked on it’s first European tour. Supporting bands like The Soft Pack, Vivian Girls and Women and playing at hotstuff club nights like White Heat and Optimo Espacio, the tour was the perfect introduction of Desmond & The Tutus to the world.
www.myspace.com/desmondandthetutus
www.youtube.com/desmondandthetutus
www.desmondandthetutus.blogspot.com
www.flickr.com/desmondandthetutus
DJ Kenzhero
Born Kenneth Bekizizwe Nzama during the uprising of the youth against apartheid in 1976, he was raised by a music loving family. His first musical influence was his grandfather with his massive collection of all kinds of music ranging from jazz, blues and soul. He sharpened his skill and touch in Soweto, made his name in specialised venues like the Jungle Connection and then exploded across the country as a truly nomadic DJ.
DJ Kenzhero’s career began in 1998 with performances at poetry sessions in and around Johannesburg. In the next few years he deejayed alongside musicians like Tumi of the volume, Lebo Mashile, Blk Sonshine and Simphiwe Dana, who he has continued to collaborate with ever since. In 2000 he established an event-based organization called Organix in association with Eric Motloung, organising live performances at the old Bassline, featuring up and coming artists like Kwani Exerience, 340ml and Skwatta Kamp. In the same year he put together the first African World AIDS MTV event, which was broadcast live on MTV Europe.
In 2001 he moved to Cape Town where he was involved with a collaborative music and poetry event called Native Yards. He became a resident DJ at many clubs and lounge bars including Marvel, Baraza, Armchair and Placebo Lounge; and played as headline DJ for bands like Freshly Ground, Max Normal, The Goema and Captains of Cape Town. He became a regular at corporate events and on UCT Radio. He also performed in Martinus Basson’s star-studded musical interpretation of Two Gentlemen of Verona.
Since his return to Gauteng in 2004, he has continued to be a regular feature on YFM, Tuks fm, Mutherfm.com, etc as DJ, co-producer or co-host. He is well known on the club and corporate scene for his off-centre yet popular sessions, claiming residencies at The Colourbar, Devine lounge, 88, Tings ‘n Times and Sidewalk Café and touring to festivals like Oppi Koppi, Macufe and Urban Voice.
DJ Kenzhero has worked as producer, organizer and DJ with artists as diverse as Mxo, Bad Boy T, Lee, Zanza, Marcus Wyatt, DJ Bob, Simba, DJ Ntone, DJ Bionic, Zubz, Big Idea and DJ Bubbles on events like Oppi Koppi, Think Funk and Party People – DJ Kenzhero’s brainchild which has become a national phenomenon and had success in the USA, Canada and Mozambique.
For more on DJ Kenzhero see
www.myspace.com/djkenzhero
www.myspace.com/partypeoplesa
http://www.djkenzhero.blogspot.com/
Gavin Minter
Gavin Minter is a South African singer, saxophonist, percussionist, writer and composer. While his first love is jazz, he is comfortable in many genres including folk, rock, pop and blues.
A versatile artist, he has performed at all kinds of functions and festivals, solo as well as with great South African acts like Prime Circle, the Johnny Fourie Band, Adverse Edition, Fat City, Wendy Oldfield, Jennifer Ferguson, The Genuines, Theta, VusiTusi, Chris Mcgregor, Thandie Klaasen, Tembi Mtshai, Wired to the Floor, The Soulution, Junction 021 Big Band, Strait and Narro, Mas Que Nada, Tina Schouw, Winston Mankunku, Marcus Wyatt, Errol Dyers, Robbie Jansen, Judith Sephuma, Allou April, Louise Carver, Arno Carstens, Gloria Bosman, Concorde Nkabinde, Flat Stanley, Steve Newman and Sylvia Mdunyelwa.
He has toured the country extensively and his travels abroad have led him to share the stage with renowned international artists like Gloria Gaynor, Eric Clapton, Joan Armatrading, Jonathan Butler, Paul Simon, Chris de Burgh, The Hothouse Flowers, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder and The Stockholm Jazz Orchestra.
Gavin has released 3 solo albums – in 1993 his self-titled debut was nominated for an Artes award. ‘Second Time Around’ (1997) was called ‘the best male vocal jazz album ever to be released by a South African artist’ by jazz critic Don Albert. In 2008 ‘I’ll be seeing you’ was warmly received by critics and nominated for a SAMA award for best traditional jazz album.
A full discography and samples of his music are available at www.gavinminter.co.za
Jason Hartman
The larger South African public discovered Jason Hartman when he competed in and won Idols 2009 but music has been a part of Jason’s life for 15 years. Jason started his career back in 1996 playing in a young three-piece rock band called Triad. He then formed the Samson Show band with his brother and father. In July 2004 Donovan Thatcher joined and the cover band became known as Men of Trees. By playing in these bands Jason was able to take his talents with guitar and voice all over Southern Africa including Zimbabwe and Botswana.
“It was an amazing experience because it taught me a great deal about playing live – but writing and playing original music is something that I find deeply satisfying,” says Hartman
He has been able to flex his songwriting muscles with his first album On the Run, produced by Marius Brouwer. Hartman wrote 11 of the 13 songs on the album and played a number of instruments on the tracks, including guitar and bass. Next time around Hartman’s unlikely to depend so heavily on his own skills, superb as they are, as he has taken on a permanent band who bring new life and creativity to his set. Famous for his pop vocals, Hartman uses the album to introduce fans to his own eclectic taste in music – an appealing mix of rock and 21st century funk interspersed with poignant ballades – all part of Hartman’s intention to give himself something challenging to work with when playing live. His live performances are all about rocking out and giving fans an incredible experience.Hartman’s first single is On the Run’s title track – a propulsive rock song that’s already hoisting Hartman’s flag high on radio.
Inbetween a hectic gig schedule all over South Africa and Namibia, Jason is also doing his bit for the environment and disadvantaged communities. He and his father have a sustainable garden project, he runs an earth-friendly website and he is the South African ambassador for Men of the Trees – the international society for the planting and protection of trees.
www.jasonhartman.co.za
www.motto.org.za
www.jasonsgarden.co.za
Khethi
Blending African soul and jazzy blue notes in an urban fusion, South African-born singer Khethukubonga “Khethi” Ntshangase brings along her social activist toolbox, singing songs of up-liftment and awareness with an “afrosouljazz” sound.
Originally from the “Sleepy Hollow” town of Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu Natal, she has lived and worked in Johannesburg, Malawi, England and Tanzania and has collaborated with creative minds from Malawi, France, Spain, Algeria, Mali, Jamaica, England and India. Born on the 25th of May, Africa Day, it is as if she was pre-destined to be passionate about the continent. “Its majestic, Africa has her own balance and we are so colorful in culture and tradition. I hope we celebrate that because it’s our trademark.”
She is a hunter-gatherer in her artistic journey as she adapts herself in different culturally enriched environments, overcoming challenges and gaining a more holistic understanding of the music industry globally. Her album “Xemplify!” portrays her journey of self-discovery.
Khethi performs solo or backed by her 5-piece band, Afrodiziac. Highlights include the Africa Day Celebration at Mary Fitzgerald Square, an international event which was broadcast live on SABC2 ; performing alongside the Jo’burg City Orchestra and Hip Hop Mcees Bianca Williams, Nthabi and Ramesh as part of the 2007 collaboration project called Classix; gracing stages at the Grahamstown National Arts and Oppi Koppi festivals and performing at the 4th series of the popular StreetPop Industry Session in Soweto. The latter led to a request for Khethi to represent South Africa at the Youth Day Celebrations at the South African Commissioners office in Norway in 2010.
Khethi expands her musical boundaries by performing with artists outside of her genre. She went into studio with South African house kings – Revolution, cooking up a storm with a song “ONE LOVE” that will be included in the house-duo’s 10th Anniversary album due in stores soon. She recorded “African Beer” produced by Favi and Matchboxology. This song is inline to be included in Sony Music’s FIFA World Cup Compilations. A City of Jo’burg collaboration project called “Classix” has been released by Soul Candy and it includes two songs “Khula” and “Make it Better” where Khethi collaborates with Selwyn, Relo and Bianca Williams. As a result of these endeavours, Khethi is featured in a number of songs getting radio play on Metro FM and Kaya FM, while her own music continues to sell on the MTN Xploaded bouquet.
Currently she is in studio, preparing music for her next album.
www.khethi.com
www.myspace.com/khethi
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWSqVhJRaKA
www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_xtL-jAP2E
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmOkcQZCbJY
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pj7AC7-1dU
pic by Luc Werkat
Kwani Experience
A 6-piece live band hailing from the inner city of Johannesburg – resolute and sophisticated with a distinct edge in their attitude, their messages, their look and their sound.
Eclectic, electric, successful, entertaining, liberating, hip, African, urban, motivational, educational and (r)evolutionary: Kwani’s unique sound is impossible to pigeon-hole, with elements of funk, jazz (traditional, African and acid), soul, hip-hop, Afro urban and African pop genres all coming into play in an exciting, innovative mix and accessible wall of sound. Paying tribute to their heritage and chanting the future, they label their overall style MUDALAND FUNK
The band is made up of soulful female vocalist/dancer Nkoto Keitu Malebye, rapper and poet Kwelagobe Sekele, keyboardist Mahlatse Riba, bassist Frank Magongwa, drummer Monde Mkhizwana and industrial-percussionist and sometime singer Bafana Nhlapo
Kwani Experience won the STANDARD BANK/ KAYA fm 95.9/SHEER SOUND “Totally Jazzed” showcase in late 2004 (the year of their inception) and received nominations for: S.A.M.A – Best Newcomer, METRO FM – I) Best Newcomer II) Best Styled Group and III) Best Group.
Having toured extensively in Europe and Southern Africa, Kwani Experience is proving to be a unique South African export. The band has visited France, Norway, Belgium and The Netherlands (The band’s second home). The band was warmly welcomed in Bosnia-Herzegovina where they performed to deafening crowds and have rocked audiences all over South Africa as well as Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Lesotho and Cape Verde.
These tours have presented Kwani with the opportunity to spread their wings and promote their albums “ THE BIRTH OF THE MUDALAND FUNK” and “LIVE AFTER BIRTH”, representing a voice of the South African youth and spreading the message for their Social campaign called ‘LIVE WITHOUT FEAR’
DJ Bob handles all of Kwani Experience’s affairs and fears at the moment. The band is currently experiencing a surge in gigs and will soon be recording some new songs. Join the Live Without Fear group on Facebook, and check the links below for more on Joburg’s favourite band.
Language 12
Marcus Wyatt’s Language 12 project represents a different approach to South African Jazz – an elusive sound that is moving forward, respectful of the past, whilst not being afraid of twisting boundaries. The music moves to a more groove-based concept, with contemporary loop-based ideas and soundscapes interspersed with unique live improvisations. Drum n Bass, Trip Hop, Rock and sounds from all over the South African musical map are blended together in a fresh, original sound that is hard to define.
Says Wyatt: ‘My life as a travelling musician has come out in this project. It´s one of the reasons I called it Language 12. Stylistically, it moves around a lot from Bebop to Hip Hop, Funk to Drum n Bass, but with a common sound and concept’.
One of the features of the project is the amazing vocal work of one of South Africa’s best, Siya Makuzeni, who takes her voice into previously unchartered territories both acoustically and through an array of EFX and pedals. Likewise with the trumpet, which Marcus manipulates into sometimes unrecognizable shapes and sounds. The combination of voice and horn in melody and improvisation feels totally natural, and provides a refreshing alternative to the more traditional trumpet/tenor sax blend. The band also includes the talents of hightly respected musicians Melissa van der Spuy on keys, Prince Bulo on bass, Justin Badenhorst on drums and Gavan Eckhart on sound design.
Language 12 released their self-titled album in 2007, the same year that they first formed as a band. It has been very well received, described as “highly evocative, warm and emotional, and seems to strike a perfect balance between originality and accessability.” Language 12 has also recently released a dvd ” Live @ House of Nsako”, recorded at Joburg’s original ‘House of Nsako’, in Brixton.
In 2009 the band enjoyed a successful 4-city tour of India, which included the famous “BLUE FROG” club in Mumbai. As well as the sub-continent, the project has performed in Sweden, Angola and all around South Africa. They are set to appear at the Cape Town International Jazz Fest in April, and Rio Loco festival (Toulouse, France) in June 2010.
Laurie Levine
Laurie Levine, a 2007 SAMA (South African Music Award) nominee, is fast building a reputation as an artist with a fresh approach and unique sound. A prolific songwriter with a jazzy, soulful voice that breathes life into her songs and embodies the emotional core of her lyrics, Laurie’s music comes from the ‘heartspace’, the word poet Breyten Breytenbach uses to describe South Africa’s anguished beauty. Her songs touch our ‘unspoken’ corners; her sounds are a contemporary interpretation of true folk.
Laurie’s debut album, Unspoken, draws on personal tales of longing and hope to render an atmospheric and eclectic terrain. Unspoken, an entirely independent release, was nominated for a 2007 SAMA in the hotly contested category of Adult Contemporary English.
Laurie has just completed her second album, produced by Dan Roberts and due for released by Sheer Music in September 2009. The album, with its blend of Nashville verve and ‘Nu Folk’ sophistication, is set to break new ground in the local singer-songwriter scene. While recording, Laurie has also been developing her live act, and the additions of accordion, mandolin and piano have already alerted audiences to her evocative new sound.
Laurie performs regularly in and around South Africa and has started touring internationally. She recently performed at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. She has also performed at the famous CBGB’s in New York and at the Forum in London, where she opened for Rodriguez. Her unique songwriting and mature vocal talent has earned her national radio play and performance slots at some of South Africa’s premier music events and festivals, including, amongst others: Oppikoppi, the Joy of Jazz Festival, Splashy Fen, Levis Vintage Sundays, Mr Price Pro, the White Mountain Folk Festival, the Old Mutual Emmarentia Concert Series, and an opening performance for Joe Jackson at Montecasino’s Teatro.
Laurie has also directed and featured in Ancestral Grooves, an orchestral show which played to full houses and standing ovations at the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square in May 2008.
In 2003 she began a close working relationship with the Drum Café, an association that has impacted significantly on her creative life. The relationship saw the publication of The Drumcafe’s Traditional Music of South Africa, which Laurie wrote. The book is today considered a valuable resource by academics and musicians.
Marcus Wyatt
Marcus Wyatt is one of the most versatile and in demand trumpet players in South Africa.
Having been introduced to folk and blues by his father (the chairman of the local folk club), Wyatt’s musical education began at age 11, with the trumpet. He studied classical music and played with orchestras in the Eastern Cape. He was called up to the South African Defence Force’s Naval Band for National Service and during this time he developed his love for jazz. He completed a Bachelor of Music in composition and arrangement at the University of Cape Town’s College of Music.
Constantly re-inventing himself Wyatt experiments with genres like big band, bebop, drum n bass, hip hop, R&B and house and relishes any opportunity for free improvisation.
His debut album Gathering was released in 2000. Mainly bebop inspired, it also incorporated elements of jazz-rock, fusion and South African flavour.
His second album, Africans in Space (2002) was inspired by a year of living in Amsterdam, where he indulged in international influences, playing with Clarence Beckton, Eric Calmes, Fra Fra Sound, Monica Akihary, Paul Stocker and Bug Band, Sean Bergin, Tzetzepi Band and The Red Hot Chili Peppers; but missed the wide open spaces of Africa.
Over the years Wyatt has been a part of numerous projects and bands; Majita, Kusasa (winner 1996 SAMIX Best Unsigned Band), The Truly Fully Hey Shoo Wow Band (SAMA nominees), Blues Broers, Cape Town Jazz Orchestra, Morris Goldberg, No ID(Live techno \ house), Gerry Bosman Orchestra and The Marcus Wyatt Quartet.
His latest offering is the result of the formation of his band, Language 12. The self-titled album, released in 2006, veers sharply from jazz track to a groove-based concept including live performances, loops and soundscapes. The band is known for thrilling live performances and had audiences on their feet at the 2007 Stockholm Jazz Festival and the Rochester Jazz Festival in New York 2008.
www.marcuswyatt.com
www.myspace.com/marcuswyatt
Mr Sakitumi
After playing many instruments (mostly drums) in many bands (Battery 9, Max Normal, Godessa, Lark & Closet Snare to name a few) for many years, Mr Sakitumi (Sean to his mom) branched out to compose and perform his own beat creations.
His performance includes live sampling, fx, turntable scratching and bass guitar. The resulting music is in the style of beats and breaks influenced by the likes of Ninja Tune, DJ Krush and DJ Shadow among others.
Based in Cape Town, Mr Sakitumi has performed at the Earthdance Festival and Oppi Koppi, openied for DJ Krush at The Assembly and closed Lark shows around the country.
Mr Vyse
Mr Vyse started his musical journey whilst a scholar in high school. Thanks to a very close friend he was able to organise a Pentium pc which led him to start a bedroom based home studio where, through trial and error, he learnt his way around the latest digital music software and started producing hip hop beats for AbomRapper. This landed him an equipment sponsorship, while his growing street rep got the attention of Outrageous Records. He did two full productions for one of their solo hip hop artists, Sphiwe of H2O, featuring Jah Seed of Bongo Maffin. He has worked with the likes of Explicit, XRated of Beats Against the Beast and members of Optical Illusion and The Mind Control.
In the meantime, his exposure to the club scene began a love affair with house music that led him to take a DJ/production/piano course with SA DJ Music and thus was born a brand new musically enlightened producer/DJ.
As his collection of records has grown, so has his diversity. His style range includes deep, soulful, vocal and commercial hip hop beats. He is addicted to the ultra sonic sounds that roam this planet and make people dance. Currently, he is in studio cooking up the next hip hop and house dance floor fillers. As an employee at SA DJ Music he has access to all the latest tracks before most local DJ’s, keeping him ahead of the game. For anybody looking for a dope producer and DJ that puts his heart into making and playing music “THIS IS THE MAN OF THE MOMENT”. Catch him on Hip Hop Fridays at Karibu Lounge. He can often be found at Fashion Society and has shared the stage with some of South Africa’s most prolific DJs.
pic by Katrin Kusmierz
Paul Hanmer
Born in Cape Town in 1961, Paul Hanmer began classical piano and theory lessons in 1970. After two years at the University of Cape Town studying for a B.Mus degree, Hanmer left to work with guitarist Paul Petersen. In 1987 Hanmer moved to Johannesburg where he was influenced by bands such as Sakhile and Bayete.
In Johannesburg Hanmer formed “Unofficial Language” with Ian Herman (of Tananas) and Peter Sklair (electric bass). The trio recorded ‘primal steps’ in 1994, featuring Sklair’s song “Tender Mercies”, and a second album, “move moves” in 1996.
Hanmer has recorded with Tananas, Miriam Makeba, Ray Phiri, McCoy Mrubata and Pops Mohamed and formed part of Tony Cox’s ‘Cool Friction Band’ in 1996. In 1999 he performed and recorded with Sheer All Stars and produced Gloria Bosman’s debut album “Tranquillity”
Sheer Sound released Hanmer’s first solo album, Trains to Taung, in 1997. The album features Denis Lalouette, Jethro Shasha, Louis Mhlanga, Basi Mahlasela, Neil Ettridge and Andre Abrahamse. Since then he has recorded five more albums, Window to Elsewhere (1998), Playola (2000, Naivasha (2002), Water and Lights (2005) and Accused No 1: Nelson Mandela (2006).
Hanmer has written a string quartet for the Sontonga Quartet and a clarinet quintet for Robert Pickup, co-principal clarinettist with the Zurich Opera. In addition he has composed a suite for duets double bass and cello for Leon Bosch of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, completed two pieces for two tubas and accompanying instruments for Anne Jelle Visser of the Zurich Opera and Sérgio Carolino, principal tuba with the Oporto National Orchestra, and written two duets for violin and harp at the request of Marc Uys.
Ricky Hesselberg
Growing up in a musical house, Ricky developed an obsession with music at an extremely young age. He played various instruments from early childhood and as his passion for music grew, so did his musical taste, which now includes many different styles and genres.
Ricky began DJ-ing in 1999 when he developed a fascination with blending music together. His career quickly took off and he relocated to London for 2 years where he became the resident DJ in popular Covent Garden nightclub, The Langley.
Since returning to South Africa, Ricky’s career has gone from strength to strength; He has performed at corporate events for some of the country’s top event coordinators and companies, including Otto De Jager, Leon Christodoulu (C SQUARE), Marc Hirschowitz (Concept Spark), Jill Groger and The Launch Factory. He has also played at some major SA events, including opening for Goldfish and Flash Republic on several occasions.
In addition to corporate and private work, Ricky plays sets at clubs and bars around the country. He is often featured on 5fm and Good Hope fm doing guest mixes and interviews.
Ricky has a great ability to read any crowd and always suit the vibe of an event perfectly.
This is one DJ you want at your event.
SteadyRock!
Born Durrell Ivandro Jadir Jacinto, into a Mozambican family of musicians, Steadyrock! is influenced primarily by his experiences of street life. This fiercely independent and self-reliant personality has worked for many years as an artist, composer, songwriter, guitarist and producer. He has worked with many best-selling artists but has retained an independent hold on his own musical career.
SteadyRock!, recently performed at Oppikoppi held at Northam in Limpopo. He’s shared the stage with South Africa’s award nominees including Cassette, The Privates, Marike Jager, Trompies, Skwatta Kamp, Lira, HHP, Kwani Experience and Gang of Instrumentals to mention a few.
SteadyRock is making waves in the rock-reggae scene. Highlights include contributing music to the soundtracks of the South African films White Wedding and Hidden Heart. His music video “My favourite song” is currently enjoying rotation on Channel O and MTV Base.
SteadyRock!’s sound is tailor made for an uber audience with its smooth melodies and distinct, eclectic reggae soul with hip-hop influences. His live performances have won the hearts of many including of that of the media. In his attitude and his music, SteadyRock! offers an interesting glimpse into the possibilities of South Africa’s future society – one where influences, styles and cultures are increasingly merged, and where traditional musical market segments are far harder to define.
Look out for the forth coming album, SteadyRock! as Agent Provacateur in Musiocracy, which will include collaborations with Mxo, Laurie Lavigne and members of Kwani Experience and be co-produced with Omen and Mphoza.
Find SteadyRock! on Facebook and Twitter. To listen to a sample track, click on www.myspace.com/steadyrock
The Rudimentals
The Rudimentals are one of the country’s best loved Reggae, Ska and Afro Ska bands. Formed in 2001, the band has gone from strength to strength and become a South African institution. Regulars at festivals countrywide, they have appeared at The Cape Town Jazz Festival, Zimfest 08, and broken musical boundaries at the Rezonance trance parties.
The band’s releases include two CDs, More Fire and Set It Proper, and a live DVD/CD combo of the 2007 Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens Concert. More Fire was released in October 2003, and the song “Noh TV” won a National Bronze Stone award for best music video in the same year. In 2004, Blunt Magazine named The Rudimentals “Best Reggae and Ska Band” in the country.
The core 6 piece band includes lead singer Teboho Maidza, drummer Duane Heydenrych, lead guitarist Dr Michael Levy, 6 times national freestye skateboarding champion Errol Strachan on bass, Antonio Cencherie on Keyboards, Ross Macdonald on Trombone, Jodi Engelbrecht on trumpet and Simon Bates on Saxophone. They love to work with other artists and often feature female vocalists from other bands in their live acts.
Highlights include opening for UB40 on their South African tour in 2007 and a one night only performance with The Wailers and Black Market in 2009. The Rudimentals have also performed at concerts featuring: Mad Caddies, Joe Sample, Randy Crawford, Groove Armada, Violent Femmes, Johnny Clegg, Freshlyground, Lucky Dube, Vivian Jones and Jimmy Eat World.
The Rudies (as their long time fans fondly refer to them) are best enjoyed live as they are known for their highly visual, impossibly energetic performances.
For more information on upcoming gigs, check out their official website: www.rudimentals.co.za
Tumi
Tumi Molekane is a speaker of fancy, the vanguard clairvoyant, one of South Africa’s brightest wordsmiths. He is an honest poet, an intuitive writer and responsible MC who is prolific on the hip hop scene.
This spitkicker has been involved in countless projects on the Jo’burg hip hop scene, most notably the Dead Prez show in the spring of 2000, and the Black August tour to South Africa the following year, which featured Talib Kweli and Black Thought of The Roots.
He has shared the stage with SA’s premier talent, such as Blk Sonshine, Bra Willie Kgositsile, Max Normal, Lesego Rampolokeng, and international talent such as Saul Williams, Sarah Jones and Mutaburuka. Tumi featured in Yfm’s acclaimed pilot ad campaign, performing controversial poetry for the ads. Having worked on his project, “The Tao of Tumi” in 2001 as a showcase, he began pioneering a whole new approach to making and presenting music. Around the same time, he compiled a collection of poems entitled The Black Inside Out.
Since 2002, he’s been involved with Tumi and the Volume. His fellow band members are David Bergman (bass), and 340ml members Tiago Paulo (guitar), and Paulo Chibanga (drums). It is through this collaboration that he popularized his genre busting hip hop style locally and toured internationally, articulating the South African experience in Scandinavia, North America, France, Germany, the UK and Australia.
In 2006 Tumi’s first solo album Music from My Good Eye was nominated for a SAMA. His latest album Whole Worlds bears out his ability to build lasting creative relationships. Cutting edge producers from no less than four continents feature on the album: Rene ’Snaz’ Hill from Canada, Robin Hannibal Braun from Denmark, Kabir ‘Kwality’ Ahluwalia from India, Mason Black and Thabang ’PapercuTT’ Moloto from South Africa. The vocal guest spots too are suitably diverse and include Zaki Ibrahim (Canada/South Africa), Tairo (France), Mxo, RJ Benjamin, Sibongile Khumalo, Kwaito star Bricks and newcomer, Tracy Lee.
Tumi jettisons the dated rulebooks to represent a generation of musicians and listeners whose tastes are more ‘this and that’ than ‘either/or’. In his evolving form of hip-hop, borders are thrust aside (both musical and geographic) and just about any other genre is allowed to push into the fray, as long as it comes with integrity and quality.
tumimolekane.blogspot.com/
www.myspace.com/tumipoetmc
www.twitter.com/tfromthev
Zaki Ibrahim
Zaki is a brilliant singer and songwriter who, after each stunning performance, leaves her audience wanting more. Her unique style is captivating and vibrant; thick with poetics and steeped in a delicious mixture of earnest emotion and insightful social commentary.
Born in Vancouver, BC and raised between South Africa and Canada’s West Coast, Zaki has spent her life moving between two worlds. Not surprising then that her road has been paved with creative encounters that have propelled her forward. Her childhood was rich with musical influences from jazz and pop to house. Her early collaborations were with emcees first in Vancouver and then South Africa. She soon connected with a broad family of Canadian and South African musicians, composers, and producers, including critically-acclaimed band Tumi & The Volume, DJ/Producer King Britt, Nick Holder (NRK), Darp Malone, Toots and the Maytals, The Roots Crew, K’naan, Bedouin Soundclash, Tanika Charles, Mos Def, Xavier Rud, Saul Williams and Erykah Badu.
Emerging as a noteworthy talent on both sides of the Atlantic, Zaki’s love of performing brings her to the stage frequently, headlining venues across this continent and beyond. She has toured the UK, the US and Australia as support artist for unique, diverse and legendary musicians. She was honoured to perform at Cape Town’s historic Armchair Theatre and equally up to the challenge of taking on the famed Apollo Theatre in Harlem, NY. Zaki has taken her eclectic music to the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, the Black Lily Film and Music Festival (Philadelphia), the Telus World Ski Fest (BC) and the Montreal Jazz Festival.
Zaki’s distinctive style and unforgettable performances have earned her well-deserved attention. She was NOW Magazine’s R&B Artist of the Year in 2007; the same year that Red Ink (Sony/BMG) signed her to their label. In 2009 she was nominated for a Juno Award for Best R&B recording. As her popularity with fans increased it became necessary to give them something to take home. During “The African Way” tour with Tumi and the Volume, K’naan and DJ Nana in 2005, Zaki’s artist development label “Iqra music” and arts collective District Six Music decided to do a short run of a six song EP, titled ‘Shö (Iqra In Orange)’ simply so that people could walk away with something to listen to. In 2006 she was featured on ‘Trafficking Compilation’ released by NRK in the UK. Most recently, she teamed with producers Chin Injeti and Khalil, in Vancouver to release ‘Eclectica (Episodes in Purple)’ in 2009.
Zaki has dived into every aspect of music making: writing, performing, collaborating and producing. She owns Iqra Music and is a Co-founder of District Six Music. She is a musical instructor with the innovative youth program in the GTA and has co-hosted and coordinated the Youth Programme for Bush Radio. Nevertheless, her hectic schedule will never keep her from the stage and her fans. South Africans should keep an eye out for this rising star as she is currently back on our shores.
www.zakimusic.com
www.myspace.com/zakiibrahim
twitter.com/#search?q=zaki%20ibrahim
Zubz
Zubz, known affectionately by his fans as “The Last Letta”, “The Legendary Golden mic holder“, and “the ill rhyme writer” is rated as one of the most prolific African hip hop artists of this generation. Born in Zambia, raised in Zimbabwe and living in South Africa, Zubz is an award nominated emcee who is a true product of African diversity. After graduating from Rhodes University where he used to perform at campus hip-hop shows, Zubz graced the stage alongside American emcees, The Lost Boyz, Talib Kweli, Dead Prez, Black Thought and Jeru da Damaja early in his career. After finding a musical home at the independent label Outrageous Records, South Africa began to feel his lyrical force. He hit the airwaves as a member of the duo “Originz” and as a solo emcee on the Expressions compilation’s ode to women “Multiple compilations Choice” and H20’s hit “African”.
Zubz’ grooming as an award worthy artist began with his highly acclaimed first mixtape, Last Letta, which was released for free to the public in 2003 and is still highly sought after, prompting a re-release onto the internet. This classic mixtape was quickly followed by the full album Listener’s Digest, in 2004. Following that success he released The Writer’s Club mixtape alongside a host of urban movers and shakers such as HHP, Snazz D, Khethi and Pebbles. Music in a Parallel Universe came as his sophomore offering in 2006. In 2009, after a two year break, Zubz’ third offering, Cochlea: One Last Letta, introduced fans to a different, lighter feel that still sticks to his definition of Hip Hop: True, Lyrical, Brave and wholly Zubz. It includes collaborations with some of Africa’s vocal and poetic gems including RJ Benjamin, Lebo Mashile and Pebbles. The first single off this album: Part Time Lover – Full Time Freek has enjoyed massive rotation at leading national radio stations and been used in a series of television advertisements for a large retail chain, with the corresponding video achieving similar appeal on prominent music television channels.
An inimitable performer, Zubz has stepped on stages all over the country and the world, sharing his music with audiences in Italy, Finland, Sweden, and The Netherlands at events and festivals like Urban Africa Club, ARS Electronica Festival, African History Week, Faces Etnofestival, Down By The Laituri Festival, Exodus Live Poetry Festival, B-Connected Music Festival, HIFA and the Virus Free Generation Hip Hop Tour. In doing so, he has shared the stage with countless local and international artists including Pops Muhamed, Hugh Masekela, Sibongile Khumalo, Ringo Madlingozi, Tumi, RJ Benjamin, Abigail Khubeka, Blaxtar, Assalti Frontali, Willy Valanga, DJ Mobster, Vesrain, Chen Lo, Toni Blackman, DJ Nana, Tha GOSPLE, Snazzy, Becomingphil, Yonni, Killa Hill, Kalibrados, Nazizi, Benni, Lidia, Rasina, and Stagga; most recently performing on the same bill as internationally renowned Somali/Canadian artist K’Naan in September 2009.
In keeping with his messages of social consciousness, Zubz has been involved in a project called RIZE Mzansi – holding workshops with disadvantaged youth in the Soweto and Alexandra townships. He has also been to Norway and Italy to create awareness in Europe about the HIV/AIDS challenges faced in Africa. He has been a chief mentor for the Power In the Voice initiative, a project endorsed and run by the British Council and international HIV awareness programs such as the Dutch funded Virus Free Generation campaign. He has also partnered with Missing Children South Africa in a bid to raise public sympathy for children reported missing.
With three albums under his belt and a cult following of enthusiastic fans worldwide, Zubz’ music is inspirational and uplifting as he bravely tackles social issues in a manner that is insightful yet entertaining. He is currently preparing to take his new project on tour with a full band in Europe in 2010.
www.myspace.com/zubzthelastletta
www.reverbnation.com/zubzthelastletta
www.facebook.com/zubzthelastletta
www.youtube.com/zubzthelastletta
twitter.com/zubzlastletta
www.lastletters.blogspot.com
