The Centre for Jazz and Popular Music proudly presents the 33rd annual UKZN Jazz Jol on Saturday 28th October.  Headlining this year’s instalment is the Melvin Peters Quartet.  It’s bandleader Melvin Peters celebrates 40 years in the industry this year which coincides with the 40th anniversary of the UKZN Jazz Programme. Melvin was one of the first graduates from the programme and formed a special friendship with its his former head Prof Darius Brubeck.

Melvin was one of the members of The Jazzanians, an ensemble that comprised of his fellow students at the Jazz Programme under the mentorship of Brubeck. The quartet consists of Melvin on piano, Durban born bassist Dalisu Ndlazi who is currently based in Johannesburg, George Ellis on drums and Feya Faku on trumpet.  Fezile “Feya” Faku who needs no introduction is a trumpet and flugelhorn player from New Brighton in Gqeberha.  

Trumpeter Feya Faku

WOMUZO is a mentorship project for young women instrumentalists with an interest in jazz and South African contemporary music.  A project of the UKUSA Arts Programme, this 6-piece all-women band is supported by the Mzansi Philharmonic Orchestra and eThekwini Municipality.  Also on the bill this year are the UKZN Large Ensemble and the UKZN Pop Voice Ensemble.

The UKZN Large Ensemble is an open ensemble that invites players from the community to join with UKZN jazz instrumentalists to offer our students the larger jazz ensemble experience.  It has been created in the absence of the UKZN Big Band due to an insufficient number of horn players in the programme.  The ensemble features compositions and arrangements created specifically for the ensemble by Neil Gonsalves.

Pianist Mthobisi Mthalane

UKZN Pop Voice Ensemble lecturer Mbuso Nxumalo is bringing talented vocalists to the Jazz Jol.  “Objectives for the semester (a few topics from my upcoming vocal teaching method book) – sound quality development and techniques, sight reading – rhythm and pitch, musicianship – sense of ensemble and music arrangement – stage craft and performance techniques – and music leadership”, Nxumalo said.  He is grateful to fellow colleague Debbie Mari for her constant encouragement and mentorship, truly and God sent”, Mbuso Nxumalo.

A special addition to the bill is Mzantsi Jazz Awards for Best Traditional Jazz and SATMA Awards for Best African Jazz 2022 nominee Mthobisi Mthalane.  This contribution by the pianist is made by The Durban Jazz Festival, who celebrate 21 years this year.  Proceeds from the Jazz Jol accrue to the Ronnie Madonsela scholarship that supports jazz students at the university. UKZN Centre for Jazz and Popular Music is at Level 2, Dennis Shepstone Building, Howard College Campus.  Cover charge is R200 for general public, R150 for pensioners and R100 for students. Doors will open at 17h00 and the concert starts at 18h00 going all the way till 21h00.