EASTERN CAPE SHOWCASE

PROGRAMME

GOMPO JAZZ ENSEMBLE

27 JUNE 2023 | 18h30 – 19h20

This 10 member ensemble has been performing live on national stages like BCMM Carnivals and recently, the Umtiza Festival, hosted by the Guild Theatre, Ann Bryant Art Gallery and East London Museums. They have also performed at the National Arts Festival, the Wushwini Pan African Festival, and on international stages in Germany. In 2022 the Jazz Ensemble was taken to Durban to record an album with the KZN guitar legend, Madala Kunene.

This groups of legends, their music is safely kept into the Arts Centre hard drives and kept safe for distribution on our target market which is commercial radio stations (uMhlobowenene), Community Arts Centres international and National programmes SABC – MNET – ETV. Since Eastern Cape or Buffalo city is one of un-profiled district in the history of South African Jazz sector and television industry, so as a fully functioning Arts Centre of Excellent that fully understand their mandate and the need to continue celebrating the unity of our culture through Jazz. We have established this group to represent the arts centre in national and international stages.

Band Members:
Siyanda Maans
Michael Mitchley
Abby Maqula
Jason Barlow
Mutusile Rosi
Vuyokazi Nyangwa
Asanda Zukani
Yamabuswana Sam
Anele Lento
Mafuzandile Solombela

QUEENSTOWN ARTS CENTRE JAZZ BAND

27 JUNE 2023 | 19.30 – 20h20

Formed in 2007, this band was composed of 5 members, Zola Mtiya on drums, Tamsanqa Mbebe on bass guitar, Thembekile Filita on second bass, Cebo Sixaba on keyboards and Mike Qampi on tenor saxophone. They have performed at provincial festivals and other occasions, big and small. The band represented South Africa in Senegal in 2007, and recorded at Miriam Makheba Studios with the help of The Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture also in 2007.
As time went on the band suffered the loss of its two members, T Mbebe and C Sixaba. Mike Qampi left the province and was replaced by Anthony Drake on saxophone.
The two deceased members were later replaced by Mziwandile Maxwell Kupa and Lungiswa Songelwa who helped in voice coaching at the center and are the current vocalists.

Members:
Zola Mtiya
Boysen Mzinyathi
Thembekile Filita
Mzwandile Kapa
Antony Brake
Lungiswa Songelwa

MAMBO JAZZ BAND

28 JUNE 2023 | 18h30 – 19h20

Mambo Jazz Band was established in 2014, and has performed at the PSJ Gudlulwandle Festival, and twice at the Matatiele Jazz Festival. They have also performed at the Queenstown Home Coming Jazz, and at many gala dinners at the Wildcoast Sun and other events in the local municipality.

Members:
Mzuzile Mgoduka
Xolani Mgcine
Madoda Shusha
Wiseman Chiya
Sphiwe Shabane
Thulani Khowa
Nomsa Hadebe
Sanelisiwe Khowa
Funeka Phephu

KOUGA JAZZ BAND

28 JUNE 2023 | 19.30 – 20h20

This musical vessel was formed in 2004 by three visionaries, Daniel and Timothy Hutchinson together with Xolani Faku who subsequently became a leader and musical director of the ensemble. This combo
draws the cream from the Kouga Municipality and beyond; interrelating with diversified communities and playing neo-traditional African jazz. The band has focused on translating Xhosa traditional music
into a jazz idiom under Faku’s direction.
They have performed at numerous jazz festivals and other events across the Eastern Cape and the surrounding areas, gaining recognition and support from the Cacadu district Municipality and the Eastern Cape Arts & Culture department.
In 2007 they received a recognition award from the Cacadu District Eastern Cape for their outstanding achievement in jazz and cultural music.
In 2008 they appeared at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival main stage at the DSG hall for two dates, featuring Buddy Wells. The band was presented courtesy of the Eastern Cape Recreation, Arts & Culture.
A milestone was the recording of their original compositions and arrangements at the Miriam Makeba Audio-Visual Centre in East London, an initiative launched by the department of Recreation, Sports, Arts and Culture to alleviate the lack of recording facilities amongst the music practitioners of that region.

Members:
Xolani Faku
Phakamile Msizi
Abongile Dyantyi
Khanya Matomela
Lukhanyo Mamzo
Neliswa Chitha
Yolanda Gcuma

WAR WORE AND THE NGUNI BAND

29 JUNE 2023 | 18h30 – 19h20

War Wore and The Nguni Band is an Afro Groove inspired sound band based in Sterkspruit, Eastern Cape. The group is known for its unique performances, with sounds inspired By Hlubi, Xhosa, Phuti and Tlokwa culture that still contains elements of modern sounds.

Band Members:
Wongeza Sipamla
Sibusiso November
Jenniffer Mthembu
Dumisani Qwanti
Sipho Funani

THE HAMBURG JAZZ BAND

29 JUNE 2023 | 19.30 – 20h20

Founded in 2021 by Qhama Nongce, Sambesiwe Mavela, and Lwandile Ngcolomba, the Hamburg Jazz Band includes young, passionate musicians.
The Band was established to provide music education to rural youth and adults who lacked the opportunity to learn music at a tender age. The Band teaches the people of Hamburg how to play a variety of instruments through weekly lessons in practical jazz music, theory, and jazz ensembles. A major goal is to equip students with unique African skills and valuable knowledge so that they can achieve excellence through the arts.

They aim to advance the education and preservation of African music culture and promote and ensure integrated youth and community musical activities. This band promotes unity through diversity
as people from different backgrounds, religions, and ethnicities are members. Another of the goals is to enrich the lives of communities, especially young people and women, through music education, performance, and collaboration.

The members of this band have been exposed to different genres of music, including classical music, African, pop, and jazz. They have performed on several platforms and have shared stages with well-known artists, including Dumza Maswana, Msaki, and many more.

In a village where opportunities for growth and personal development are limited. The Band has become a beacon of discipline, hope and opportunity for the youth of Hamburg and surrounding areas, and is well loved by the community for its unique sound. The band now has 15 members from Hamburg, East London, Umzimkhulu (KZN), and Makhanda, including teachers and students who perform together with the founding members in events.

Band members are:
Qhama Nongce
Lwandile Ngcolomba
Sambesiwe Mavela
Yoliswa Gusha
Aviwe Nkani
Simamkele Maxontana
Zimkhitha Nompunga
Samkelo Mtolo
Mkhululi Peter

TEBZALIVE BAND

30 JUNE 2023 | 11h00 – 11h50

TEBZALive Music Band is a four member AfroJazz Band from Ggeberha in the Eastern Cape. The Band was formed in 2012 by Siyabulela Meleni also known as TEBZALive. Since the formation of the
band, TEBZLive has had the pleasure and opportunity of travelling and entertaining audiences at different events around South Africa. TEBZALive has performed alongside well-known musicians and big crowds all over South Africa. TEBZALive specialises in Music festivals, AfroJazz Clubs, Cultural Events, Music Conferences and Community Events.

Band Members

Siyabulela Meleni (TEBZALive) – Vocalist
Yanga Ndzamela – Pianist
Nsuku Obedience Mabasa – Base Guitarist
Andile Nomila – Drummer

LINDO

30 JUNE 2023 | 18h30 – 19h20

Lindo Mtangayi better known as Usirayeli Akaqedwa hails from kuTsolo in the Eastern Cape. After having a blast of a time on Tik Tok, afro pop singer Lindo Mtangayi takes her sonic adventures elsewhere, crooning a new number titled “Usirayeli Akaqedwa”. “Usirayeli Akaqedwa” is pretty good on the ears, and without a doubt you would have no regret deciding to listen to it. For a singer who has only just popped into our orbit, we would call this a good omen.

TEMBA NCETANI QUINTET

30 JUNE 2023 | 19.30 – 20h20

Temba Ncetani Quintet is a 5-piece jazz ensemble led by Temba Ncetani, a qualified multi-instrumentalist and jazz musician born and bred in Mthatha. He holds a Diploma in Music and majored in Jazz
Studies obtained from Nelson Mandela University (NMU). He started his music career when he moved to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) where he was a Bassist for Take Note Jazz Band and received a recording deal for their debut album titled Rear Window under Dr Sipho Sithole (Founder & Owner of Natives Rhythms). Native Rhythms signed artists such as Siphokazi, Camagwini, Zulu Boy & The Soil to mention a few.
Ncetani has worked with jazz giants such as Andile Yenana,McCoy Mrubata,Sibongile Khumalo,Feya Faku,Lex Futshane,Simphiwe Dana amongst others. He has also worked with young and prominent jazz artists in the country including 2 time Metro Award winner Nomfundo Xaluva, Sisonke Xonti (2021 Standard Bank Young Artist Of The Year), Luyanda Madope & Phumlani Mtiti (2011 SAMA Best Jazz Album winner).
Temba Ncetani will be gracing the Dakawa Jazz Festival himself on Saxophones(Tenor & Soprano), Flute and Lead Guitar.
Band Members:
Temba Ncetani as a multi-instrumentalist
Zuko Yigi on Bass
Vuyo Mjindi on Piano
Lunga Gwevu on Drums

Guest artist on vocals