Umuthi, a Jazz Invocation: Recent Episodes
Jazzuary FM
Born in Chicago and raised in Detroit on Stevie wonder, Santana, Parliament Funkadelic and the Philly sound, Alton’s early roots in soul music led to an affinity for clubbing and the perfect storm of music, dance, and skill. Alton along with his like-minded friends Chez admire and George Baker, opened the legendary dance club, the music institute in Detroit in 1988. Since then, Alton has lived in Paris and South Africa, where he pursued his musical creativity process while representing the Detroit vibe.
Most versatile musician of our current times. Kitchen Mess joined a group called Jazz Cats as a lead singer with a couple of friends. They went on to perform their own music and did song covers over Lounge, Jazz, House and RnB notes. Four years later, being in the group, he decided to go solo with his career crafting out a brand for himself called Kitchen Mess.
Thuto Tshegofatso Lelake is a music enthusiast who grew up in the West of Johannesburg in Kagiso, later resided in Soweto and now frequents between the two. To those that know and follow his art he is affectionately known as Supreme Socialist.
Jessica Laura Marshall better known as “Jess” was born and raised in a small town, west of Johannesburg called Toekomsrus in Randfontein and started singing at the tender age of 8. After having realized her great love and passion for music Jessica then went on to entering both local and national competitions and at the age of 16 she was then chosen to represent the country in the USA after having won an international competition called IMTA in 2014 which is also when her music career then took off. Apart from being a vocalist, Jessica also has other hidden talents such as acting and modelling.
Neo Joshua Mabena very talented and versatile saxophonist player Neo Joshua Mabena .A master composer and Band leader of the collective named “THE NEO JOOSHUA EXPERIENCE” Mabena is Musically (classic) trained at The Academy of Gauteng through the guidance of the honourable late Dr Jonhny Mekwa.He fondly fell inlove with the rich history and depth of the jazz Genre. Neo Josh is no stranger to Big stages as he has also performed at the Capetown Jazz festival, sharing stages with the Johannesburg Jazz Orchestra.
Stanky Rammutla a genuine music collector , Dj and generally a lover of music. known to have hosted some of the nicest music events,movements such as deeper Live Friday.
MIGHTY is one of Cape Town's more prolific vinyl collectors, he simply loves music - all shapes, all sizes, all sounds, all styles
Muntu Vilakazi is a music collector with a bias towards jazz. In his spare time, he DJs at jazz clubs and other eclectic cultural spaces – where he also takes photographs as well. He’s currently studying for a Masters in Fine Art degree with the University of Witwatersrand.
Ayanda Zalekile (vocalist, bassist, multi-instrumentalist) Master class bassist, Trombonist and a creative of note. Ayanda Zalekile The Brother Moves On (TBMO) band member, his also a Peanut Butter & Jam jazz unit co-founder
Malcolm has travelled and performed worldwide ever since. This includes tours to Germany, France, New York, Sweden, Russia, Amsterdam, and Holland. Some of the artists Malcolm has worked with include, Jonas Gwanga (SA), Hugh Masekela (SA), Andile Yenana (SA), Abdulah Ibrahim (SA), Julian Josef (UK), Yusef Latif (US), Kevin Mahogany (US), David Beck (Sweden), Themba Mkhize (SA), Fra Fra Sound (Holland), Nduduzo Makhathini (SA)Unathi (SA)Sibongile Khumalo (SA), Feya faku (SA)Herbie Tsoali (SA) and many more. He has played in great South African jazz festivals which include the joy of jazz, Grahams town festival, Womad international festival, art alive, Oppie Koppie and the Cape town jazz festival.
Planet Lindela Sowetan born, bred, and based band, have a steadily growing following of loyal fans ranging from the older jazz connoisseur to established creatives, right through to universities.
Dj Bob was behind the legendary live venues Mojo’s (1993-4) and then 206 Live (1995-2001) in Johannesburg and spent 12 years producing his own stage at OppiKoppi, where he has been playing records for 23 years now. He has practised as an artist manager, booking agent, event producer, stage manager and tour manager amongst many other titles.
Female disc jockey from Mamelodi, Pretoria. So passionate about music. She started deejaying at the age of 16 in 2008. She was inspired by Her family,especially brother who collects vinyls. Her brother taught her how to play ever since she never looked back. She's an electric player. She plays world music. Depending on her moods and seasons.
NomaG is a multi- talented artist, theatre actress, Performer and costume designer. She has played lead roles in SA's biggest Theatre musicals like "The prodigal Man" and Town the musical revenue " to mention a few, staged at the Joburg Theatre under the direction of an award nominee Lebohang Toko and Director and Founder Lungile Temba.
A commendable track selector and seamless mixer, that currently is making waves with Bossa and Samba influenced type of sound. Rotea’s passion for music and entertaining is rooted in her upbringing. She went to an academic school however, music was introduced in the 8th grade and She enrolled for the Marimba’s which gave her a chance to perform with various musicians.That saw her love for percussion and brass instruments grew and one can immediately pick it up her my selections.
Born into a family of ardent jazz enthusiasts, it is fitting to say Thuli's jazz fate was sealed from birth. A huge respect for the artform, Thuli's jazz presentations are for an open mind, a mind that has to be ready to take in the varied and rich sounds that jazz present. She appreciates the history behind each composition, how the music is put together, and the stories that the music relates. Thuli is a person who understands that jazz, as much as it evolves and moves forward, there is always a strong reference to it's origins
Vincent Nkosikhona Ngubane. Ngubane made waves on the vocals when he was featured on Malumz On Decks and Gino Brown hit single Shay’inumber with all dance music lovers everywhere across South Africa blasting the hit song. Ngubane is not new to the music scene, and though most people would know him as a kwaito singer. He is actually no stranger to the jazz space. Through of the years we have seen him perform with bands like Afro Twist Quintet, Planet Lindela, Vince nabangani, Quintessential and many
Lerato Lichaba is a self-taught guitarist, composer, arranger and all-round conceptualist. He is the founder and band leader of the prolific Soweto ensemble, Urban Village. His music style is inspired by his life experiences and how different cultures and traditions blend in the language of his music.
Lungile Kunene a self-taught, multi-instrumentalist who plays drums, percussions (indigenous and modern). He is a composer, arranger, music director and private drum teacher.He has toured the world with the multi award winning group Soweto Gospel Chior and has been part of Umoja (cfc). Lungile Kunene has also been involved in a production called "Colour Me Human" directed by Steve dyer in 2015.
Itumeleng Moloko Music Aficionado,Collector,DJ. Apparently Jazz is now considered HIGH ART & the average person has trouble understanding it
Sir LSG (real name Lesego Sefako)began his career as a DJ in 2006 whilst studying to become an electrical engineer at the University of The Witwaterstrand. It seems the love for music took precedence as the young Sir LSG began collecting records and dropped out of varsity soon after that. Being bitten by the music bug in his formative years, Sir LSG became part of a House Music groupHood Natives in 2007 with 3 other DJs, but left the group in 2011 to pursue his solo career. Heenrolled at the Soul Candi Institute of Music for a Music Production course,and continued his studiesat the Academy of Sound Engineeringmajoring in Music Production & Audio Post Production.
Raymond Nkululeko Maseko is an accomplished master carpenter and an author who writes on several subjects including but not limited to; African cultures, jazz and business. He has been running a newspaper column on jazz for over four years
Kamogelo Matsoso, known as Kamo, is a 24 years old female artist from Vereeniging, the Vaal Triangle. Kamogelo is a singer, songwriter, composer, instrumentalist & performer of jazz & soul music and she is a qualified musician & performance educator. Kamo embarked on her journey as a musician since the age of 7 years when she began playing her first instrument, which was the keyboard then went to take on the flute at age 10.
Tubatsi Mpho Moloi encourages and motivates, entertains, and awakens cultural and traditional consciousness; it encapsulates day-to-day personal and societal experiences echoed with teachings by the elderly, bringing us back, not to be regressive but to take us back to a point where our identity reflects us and our stories.