-AL Foster visit artist website
The master drummer has been a major innovator in the world of jazz for several decades. As a member of the Miles Davis band for thirteen years, Foster's contribution to Davis' music is articulated by Davis himself in his 1989 autobiography, Miles: The Autobiography, where Davis describes the first time he heard Foster play live in 1972 at the Cellar Club on 95th Street in Manhattan: 'He [Foster] knocked me out because he had such a groove and he would just lay it right in there. That was the kind of thing I was looking for. AI could set it up for everybody else to play off and just keep the groove going forever."
Other artists Foster has performed and recorded with include Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, McCoy Tyner, Wayne Shorter, Bobby Hutcherson, John Scofield, Pat Metheny, Charlie Haden, Randy & Michael Brecker, Bill Evans (the pianoplayer), George Benson, Kenny Drew, Carmen McRae, Stan Getz, Toots Thielemans, Dexter Gordon and Chick Corea. Over the years, Foster has toured extensively with Herbie Hancock, Sonny Rollins, and Joe Henderson, becoming a major attraction in all three bands as well as an integral part of them.
Respected and admired for his keen sensitivity, Foster is known for his unique ability to listen to and playoff others in an almost telepathic way, responding to them with a style that is at once both charismatic and understated. F oster, is a great believer in the purity of the music, a genuine artist who continues to push the boundaries of creativity again and again, devoted to preserving and perpetuating the highest standards in jazz today.
He is a magnificent all-round drummer, and his rhythmic chops are renowned in musical styles ranging from bebop to free form to jazz/rock. Recently he has recorded and toured with his own band.
-Arturo Lledo visit artist website
Spanish guitarist who spent 14 of his formative years as a musician in Brazil. His familiarity with both Spanish and Brazilian music makes him capable to play anything from beautiful boleros to samba and bossa nova.
-Dave Liebman Group visit artist website
As a disciple of John Coltrane and Miles Davis, Liebman appreciates the value of having a working band to express one’s musical feelings. Since 1991, the 62-year old saxophonist has played with guitarist Vic Juris, bassist Tony Marino and drummer Marko Marcinko. The group’s recordings mirror Liebman’s varied musical idioms and the band’s abundant energy.
-Dianne Reeves visit artist website
Dianne Reeves has been one of the top singers in jazz ever since the late '80s. A logical successor to Dinah Washington and Carmen McRae (although even she can not reach the impossible heights of Ella and Sarah Vaughan), Reeves is a superior interpreter of lyrics and a skilled scat singer. She was a talented vocalist with an attractive voice even as a teenager when she sang and recorded with her high school band. She was encouraged by Clark Terry, who had her perform with him while she a college student at the University of Colorado.
There have been many times when Reeves has explored music beyond jazz. She did session work in Los Angeles starting in 1976, toured with Caldera, worked with Sergio Mendes in 1981, and toured with Harry Belafonte during 1983-1986. Reeves began recording as a leader in 1982 and became a regular at major jazz festivals. Her earlier recordings tended to be quite eclectic and many of her live performances have included original African-inspired folk music (which is often autobiographical), world music, and pop.
However, after signing with Blue Note in 1987, and particularly since 1994, Reeves has found her place in jazz, recording several classic albums along the way, most notably I Remember, The Grand Encounter, The Calling: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan, and A Little Moonlight. In 2005, she appeared onscreen singing '50s standards in the George Clooney film Good Night, and Good Luck. When You Know was released in 2008. Reeves is at her best performing swinging jazz live. And her musical introduction of her band (which can be lengthy, witty, and full of inspired scatting) is sometimes nearly as memorable as the music. She is always capable of greatness. Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
-Emily Bruce visit artist website
One of South Africa's top female Jazz Vocalists, Emily Bruce is a graduate of the University of Cape Town (UCT), South African College of Music (SACM) and received her Performers Diploma in Music in 2007 with distinction in Jazz Singing and Improvisation.
In 2000, Emily was awarded the Talent Deserving Wider Recognition prize as part of the Old Mutual Jazz Encounters and again in 2002 she received a National Merit Award for voice in the same competition.
Emily has been performing on the South African music scene since 1998 and performs regularly with the Alvin Dyers Band. She also performs regularly with her own trio who are Buddy Wells (sax) and Wayne Bosch (guitar). She has had the pleasure of performing as a guest artist with the UCT Big Band, Hilton Schilder, Jack Van Poll, Breakfast Included, Mike Perry and Winston Mankunku. She also performs with Mark Fransman, Andre Petersen, Dave Ledbetter, Andrew Lilley, Kevin Gibson, Kesivan Naidoo and Basil Moses to name a few.
In March 2007 Emily Bruce independently released her debut album ‘This Love We Share’ which hosts a spectacular line up of South Africa’s great musicians namely Alvin Dyers, Basil Moses, Ivan Bell, Mark Fransman, the late Nic Le Roux, Gavin Minter and Wayne Bosch.
Some of Bruce’s special performances are: JCQ Productions Jazzathon 2003 – 2007, Old Mutual Jazz Encounters Gala Event, Kirstenbosch Sunsetter Concerts, Jazz at the Nassau concerts, YOU Magazine Suidoosterfees 2006, Chivas Regal Jazz Impressions, Johnnie Walker Jazz Impressions and most recently KKNK (Art Festival) in Oudtshoorn with the Alvin Dyers Band.
-Freshly Ground visit artist website
Freshlyground is a South African Afro-Fusion band that was formed in Cape Town in 2002. The band members hail from South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Stylistically, Freshlyground incorporates elements of traditional South African music (such as kwela and African folk), blues and jazz, as well as features of indie rock. The lead singer is Zolani Mahola whose distinctive voice contributes much to the band's unique sound.
Freshlyground launched their debut album, Jika Jika, in early 2003. The great success of this album ultimately kick-started their career and re-affirmed their reputation as a fresh and vibrant young face in South African music. The much-needed exposure from the album resulted in an invitation for the band to perform at both the Harare International Festival of the Arts and the Robben Island African Festival.
Early in 2004, Freshlyground participated in the opening of South African Parliament by performing before President Thabo Mbeki in an event organised as a celebration of 10 years of democracy in South Africa.
At the Harare International Festival of the Arts, Freshlyground performed with Zimbabwean musician Oliver Mtukudzi, who is also renowned for his diverse blending of different African music genres.
The band went on to perform alongside local legends Miriam Makeba, Stanley Clarke and Femi Kuti at the North Sea Jazz Festival, held during April in Cape Town. July also marked a break from the recording studio for the band, who had been working hard on their then unreleased album Nomvula. The band took this time to perform at the Villa Celimontana Festival in Rome, Italy.
Finally, in late 2004, Freshlyground released their most recent album Nomvula. Although the uptake of the album was initially slow, it eventually went on to achieve double platinum status locally. Initial success was largely due to the catchy, feel-good, lyrics of Doo Be Doo, which enjoyed significant play on local radio. Follow-up hits included I'd like and the signature track Nomvula, the former achieving unprecedented success on radio charts such as the 5FM Top 40, where it remained at No. 1 for several weeks.
Freshlyground completed a national tour in May, with their performance at Kirstenbosch (Cape Town) being one of the most notable events. They will be performing at various venues in the United Kingdom during June and July before moving onto Germany and Belgium in August.
After a short break in this tour, they will come back to Europe in September for performances in The Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom, France and Italy.
In July 2006, Freshlyground took part in the official handing over ceremony for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, due to take place in South Africa. The band performed at the ceremony, which was held during closing of the last World Cup in Germany.
-Incognito visit artist website
Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick and Paul “Tubbs” Williams formed a disco-funk group in the 1970s known as Light of the World, a disco-funk group that scored a few moderate UK hits, including a cover of Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff.” After three LPs, Bluey and Williams made a few personnel changes and renamed the band Incognito.
The band released Jazz Funk in 1981, but was generally inactive for the remainder of the decade. In that time, however, Bluey continued to write for the group, while at the same time writing and producing for a variety of other artists, including George Benson, Philip Bailey, Maxi Priest and Brenda Russell. During this time, Williams left the project, and Bluey became the sole driving force behind Incognito.
Ten years after Jazz Funk, Incognito released the long-awaited Inside Life, a 1991 album that spawned the single, “Always There,” which became a top ten hit in Britain’s burgeoning acid jazz scene, thanks in large part to the song’s vocal track by Jocelyn Brown. Inside Life boasted a large cast that included some of the best funk players in England at the time.
Since then, the band has released a consistent string of high-quality recordings, beginning with Tribes Vibes & Scribes, a 1992 album that marked the first appearance of American vocalist Maysa Leaks in the lineup. Maysa would reappear on several Incognito albums for the remainder of the ‘90s and beyond. Along the way, they’ve generated numerous hit singles on either side of the Atlantic, most notably “Always There” and a cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing.”
Incognito is an ever-changing collective of musicians hand-picked by Bluey from a worldwide pool to capture whatever vibe he is seeking on any given project. The result is a dynamic musical entity that spans a vast range of styles and cultures. He claims to have used more than 1,000 different musicians and vocalists during the band’s 30-year career, with lineups varying in size from eight pieces to fourteen to even larger configurations.
Incognito is the most multicultural band in Britain, with current and past members hailing from all corners: Mauritius, England, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa, India, Brazil, Argentina, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Trinidad, Jamaica, Grenada, St Lucia, Barbados, Israel, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, China, Australia, New Zealand, Tanzania, Ivory Coast, Ghana, USA, Canada, France, Germany, Holland, Russia, Poland, Portugal and Belgium.
Many of the current key members, however, have been in place for several years, including drummer Richard Bailey, bassist Francis Hylton and keyboard player Matt Cooper. Vocalists Tony Momrelle, Joy Rose and Imaani have also been regulars for the past four years.
Since January 2007 alone, they have performed in more than 25 countries – in some cases taking the roads less travelled. In addition to playing almost all the European countries, the U.S. and Japan, Incognito has played in Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Mauritius and Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean.
-Jonathan Rubain visit artist website
Rubain first started out playing drums and the lead guitar, but later discovered his love for the bass guitar at the age of 15. His first jazz gig was with legendary Goema artist, Mac Mckenzie. Rubain was a regular member in bands with Robbie Jansen, Errol Dyers, Hilton Schilder's Rock Art. He has also appeared as a featured guest with artists such as Wanda Baloyi, Jeff Maluleke, Allou April & Camillo Lombard.
Rubain has already performed at numerous concerts & festivals locally & abroad round including the 2008 Cape Town Jazzathon, 2005 Indian Ocean International Jazz Festival & the 2007 Genting International Jazz Festival.
The Jonathan Rubain Band plays all Jonathan's original compositions. This band also played at the opening concert of the 2008 Cape Town International Jazz Festival. His music is strongly influenced by the rhythm life of Hanover Park, Cape Town, Pinkster church music and Cape Music Culture such as the Cape Minstrel sound & the Ghoema. Rubain lists world renowned artists such as Victor Wooten, Robbie Jansen, Stanley Clark, Richard Bona, Jonathan Butler, Abdullah Ibrahim, Jimmy Dludlu & Errol Dyers all as having a had profound effect on his musical journey & life.
-Kyle Eastwood visit artist website
Film star Clint Eastwood has transmitted his love of jazz to his bassist son, Kyle. In addition to producing three albums as a bandleader, Kyle has contributed film scores for movies such as The Rookie, Mystic River and Flags for our Fathers. In 2006, he was also nominated by the Chicago Film Critics Association for the original score for Letters from Iwo Jima.
-Maurice Gawronsky Quartet visit artist website
Maurice played drums in many countries around the world during the 60’s and ended up playing with all the giants of jazz in England, including Tommy Whittle, Don Rendell, Mike Carr and Brian Dee, and eventually becoming Dudley Moore’s personal drummer. He was asked to join don Byas’s Quartet at the Montmartre jazz club in Denmark and went on to play with Oscar Pettiford and Sten Getz.
-Peter White visit artist website
Peter White describes himself as a smooth jazz guitarist. After he played with Al Stewart and singer Basia, White switched to jazz in the 1990s. Since then he has played and performed with people like Bob James, Jeffrey Osborne and our own Jonathan Butler. His vamps and guitar-picking are phenomenal.
-Ringo Madlingozi visit artist website
Sindile Madlingozi’s career is comprised of the two most important components of his true mission in life. The one part is being the highly successful artist with a string of multi-platinum albums who is celebrated with recognition awards. The other is that of a man who still finds the time to give back to those in need.
Sindile Madlingozi is a gifted vocalist, drummer, percussionist and guitarist. He is also a multi-talented songwriter, producer and arranger of brilliant music that can be defined in two decades.
He was born in Gugulethu Township, Cape Town in 1964 but finished his high schooling in Umtata. His vocal abilities were noticed at an early age as a child and it was his love for drumming that earned him the nickname “Ringo” (from The Beatles’ Ringo Starr).
He started out as a lead singer in Cape Town singing with several groups and he loved performing “Acapella” at community and youth functions.This is undoubtedly what gave him exposure as a vibrant and unique vocalist who could handle a broad scope of studio session work - for radio commercials, film, and album recordings.
Sindile Madlingozi moved to Johannesburg, where he spent the early 1990's as a member of Gecko Moon, but left the group after their performance in Swaziland.He met Chris Blackwell, Bob Marley’s ex-producer, who encouraged him to sing in his native language “Is’ Xhosa” to find his true voice.
However, the meeting with Chris Blackwell also made Madlingozi realize that the main purpose for singing was to speak to people and pass messages that would educate and help them. Sindile Madlingozi became an EMI CCP success story when he signed up with them as a solo artist in 1996.
Mandlingozi is not only recognized for being a multi-talented artist with a sense of authenticity, but is well respected for his abilities to write, produce and arrange brilliant music. He is in-demand as a creative collaborator and has worked with renowned local and international stars from Mandoza to UB40 as well as gospel greats, Avante, saxophonist, McCoy Mrubata, trumpeter Prince Lengoasa and Maskandi diva, Busi Mhlongo and more!
Sindile Madlingozi is man always raising awareness around social issues and he stands for positive living. He has always ensured he talks about pressing social issues of the day in his music. He participates in a number of social investment and community development initiatives.
His passionate belief is playing a real role at grassroots level which is where it matters the most. His message about ABUSE, DRUGS, VIOLENCE & CRIME to young people is just as strong and bold as his music whether he is making reference to people who find themselves in jail or the plight of poverty.
-Rus Nerwich & the Collective Imagination visit artist website
Highly regarded as a diverse and multi-talented artist, Rus Nerwich pursues his passion and life's work with a deep sincerity and focus. Having successfully released 5 albums over the past five years, Rus is recognised as a musician who is constantly searching for ways to engage the listener. With a humble disposition and an assertive nature, Rus performs with bare honesty. Committed to using sound and music to inspire, uplift and ultimately communicate, Rus has over the past five years developed a unique musical approach and sound, both reflected in his recorded work and live performances.
With no musical training, but filled with the will and desire to learn the musical arts, Rus literally begged his way into the University of Cape Town's music department. There, under the mentorship of Rene McLean he studied saxophone, improvisation and jazz history for the next four years. Forming his first band, "Tones of Note," Rus became
one of the few musicians who took the initiative to actively find work and establish platforms to perform. Soon he was running one of the busiest working bands in the city. He then went to live in London where he performed in various musical contexts. Returning from his travels he set out to record his first album. Titled "As Above, So
Below" the album featured 10 of Rus's original compositions and was well received by listeners and critics.
The following year was spent researching and preparing for the recording of his second album "Beyond the Walls," a monumental work that explored music that originated in the Ghettos of Nazi Germany. With a strong conceptual premise, and a powerfully delivered performance, "Beyond the Walls" established Rus as an important figure in South African music. Rus was featured as a headline artist, and asked to perform "Beyond the Walls" at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. Critics and listeners all recognize the significance of this important work.
He then went to live in Buenos Aires where he performed regularly with his trio, and quickly established himself among the working musicians of BA. Going on to record his next album, The Buenos Aires Sessions, and performing at the prestigious jazz club Notorious, Rus continued to map out his musical journey one note at a time. Well received, he played with several bands, and performed regularly with both his own band and Cumbia band, "Kaos".
Returning to South Africa, Rus continued writing and composing. Resulting in his latest releases "Mantras4ModernMan vol. 1 and 2." With is texturally rich sound and fusion of eclectic elements, Mantras4ModernMan played to sold out concerts, leaving listeners
inspired and enthralled.
After performing in Europe from July till October 2008, with highlight performances in Paris, Antwerp, Portimao (Portugal) Prague, Albraccin (Spain) Rus has returned to release his first elecronic based project, titled "Under the Poetree" the album is a solid mix of old school beats n jazz infused melody's, with some suprises, the album Is a adventurous departure form his previous jazz explorations.
With his inspired and eccentric artistic nature, Rus brings a refreshing and inspiring energy. He has contributed greatly to a wide and varying array of musical projects and performs across a wide spectrum of styles. These include his work with Dj's, Balkan band Kolonova, traditional African Marimba ensembles, and Cumbia band "Kaos." The free funk ensemble "Golliwog" to name a few. He also composed the music for the theatre production "Jutro'
As a competent writer he is currently completing his first children's book titled, "The day love came to visit" and has also written a movie based on the life of the legendary poet, Mordechai Gebertig.
-Stylistics visit artist website
The Stylistics was formed in Philadelphia, PA in 1966 from two groups, "The Percussions" and "The Monarchs". When members from each group were drafted or went on to further their education, the remaining members under the guidance of their English teacher Beverly Hamilton joined forces and changed the name to "The Stylistics".
After working locally for a number of years, the group was approached by Bill Perry who asked if they would be interested in recording. Their first song "You're a Big Girl Now" was recorded at Virtue Recording Studio, a local studio in Philadelphia. This song was written by the group guitarist at the time, Robert "Doc" Douglas and Road Manager, Marty Bryant.
The sessions cost Bill Perry a little over $500.00 to produce and was released locally. It was soon picked up in the tri-state area and before long, it became a number 1 hit in Philadelphia and a few other cities. Bill was interested it promoting the record national but didn't have the resources. He decided to contact Avco Records and made a deal. Rumor has it, Bill received over $10,000.00 from Avco of which the group never saw a dime.
After the success of "You're A Big Girl Now", Avco wanted to naturally follow up with an album release. Hit veteran producer Tom Bell was contacted and was hired to produce the group's first album. The album was entitled "The Stylistics" and from that album came "Stop, Look, Listen to your Heart", "You Are Everything" and "Betcha By Golly Wow".
The success of the first album was phenomenal for that time along with an unheard release of six singles in total. The ball continued to roll with the release of their second album entitled "Round Two". The Stylistics were becoming known as the Philly group with the sweet love songs. (Check out Discography for the full list of album releases.) Herbert Murrell and Airrion Love are the remaining original members of The Stylistics. Friends since junior high school, Herb and Airrion have managed to keep their institution of 70's music alive. It was thought to be the end of the Stylistics following the departure of their original lead singer, but as in life "THE SHOW MUST GO ON"
-Zap Mama visit artist website
Zap Mama is the Grammy-award winning group founded and fronted by Marie Daulne. Since the early 1990’s, Marie has spent her life crossing continents and winning the hearts of thousands of fans, while introducing her ‘Afropean’ musical heritage to the world and uniting musical cultures through the wonders of voice, music and dynamic performance. Zap Mama is currently recording her seventh album due out on Heads Up International in May 09. The album features artists G. Love, Bilal, and Vincent Cassell, and was mixed by Russ Elevado (D’Angelo, Erykah Badu).