UKZN Centre for Jazz and Popular Music, popularly known as The Jazz Centre, will honour the inimitable flamenco guitarist and educator, Demi Fernandez, through a lineup of the institution’s guitar alumni on Friday 30 May. Fernandez, who was born in Brazil to Spanish parents, has long been a bridge between worlds, between cultures, between tradition and innovation. Having performed extensively in the flamenco tablaos of Spain, Demi brought with him not just skill, but soul.

Demi Fernandez. Picture by Marlyn Ntsele

He is the long-standing guitarist for the Linda Vargas Flamenco Dance Company, lecturer and senior music staff member at UKZN. As Head of Centre for Jazz and Popular Music, Neil Gonsalves puts it “he has shaped the musical DNA of countless students through his teachings in Jazz guitar, arranging, harmony, and ensemble work. It is these students, now seasoned artists in their own right, who are returning to the stage, not just to perform, but to pay tribute, as Fernandez announced his retirement.”

Nick Pitman, known for his genre-defying compositions and his recent album “Juicebox”, is fresh off a whirlwind tour with musical theatre giants and Jazz icons alike. His work blends Jazz, Funk, Rock, and Afrobeat into a sonic kaleidoscope that somehow still feels grounded in the streets of Durban. Solomon Willy, born in Nigeria and raised musically under Fernandez’s tutelage, brings a lush blend of Afro-beat, Jazz, and African soul to his performances. His music has crossed oceans, from Australia to Durban’s biggest Festivals.

Solomon Willy. Picture by SW Creative Media

Joshua Swanson’s journey began at UKZN too. Now an educator and full-time performer with the acclaimed band The Kickstands, Swanson’s Jazz stylings and educational commitment echo Fernandez’s own legacy of teaching through doing. From Mozambique, Milton Chissano adds his musical heritage. With a foundation in classical guitar that has spanned Afro-Cuban grooves, Bollywood motifs, and African folk songs, Chissano’s artistry is both broad and deeply rooted. His performances, including his current residency at King Shaka International Airport, speak of migration, memory, and homecoming.

Also taking the stage is Seb Goldswain, known for his electrifying finger style technique and genre-blending compositions that fuse Blues, Rock, and Jazz. “Together, this lineup present some of the important torchbearers, each carrying a piece of Demi’s enduring impact”, Gonsalves said. The Jazz Centre is located at Dennis Shepstone Building Level 2, Howard College Campus. Tickets are sold for R120 general public, R90 for pensioners and R60 for students with a valid student card. Doors open at 18h00 and the concert starts at 18h30