Five music acts from the Eastern Cape are among the top 20 finalists in the running for a chance to perform at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in 2019.
The unsigned musicians are contesting the platform through the ESPAfrika Young Legends online competition.
The competition, which opened on August 30, required bands to submit links to their live performance videos, biographies and photographs.
Earlier in December, the ESPAfrika Young Legends listening committee chose the top 20 bands which include Port Elizabeth’s Edgar Muzah and Friends, Port Elizabeth Afrofuturistic urban traditional band Ikati Esengxoweni (read more here), Bay jazz singer Asanda Mqiki, Dutywa-born duo Soul Kulture and PE’s Creshwell October Jazz Ensemble.
Muzah is a bassist of Zimbabwean origin but PE-based. The musician and producer has worked with national and international artists like Joyous Celebration, Take Note and Afrika Revenge.
His band comprises Mthokozisi Mabuza and Mvuzo Mnyaka on keyboards, Tavern Thomas on drums, Norman Masamba on guitar and vocalists Willis Wataffi Afirika, Black Ibah, Blaq Tye, Andy Ndlazilwana and Samasamba, with whom he will perform at the festival, if he wins.
“Winning this competition would validate a lot, not only for me but other artists because Edgar Muzah and Friends is not just about me. It would also make history and expose us to an international market as we would be the first act from the Eastern Cape to win this competition,” Muzah said.
Award-winning vocalist and composer Mqiki has travelled across the world, wowing audiences from Sweden to Australia and all around SA with her powerful and emotive voice. The singer boasts a six-member band with whom she recently released her album Nobakithi.
The Creshwell October Jazz Ensemble was founded by Creshwell October who was born and raised in PE.
With band members from different cultures and musical backgrounds, the band has a versatile edge. Soul Kulture comprises Afeletsi Manamathela, 20, and Msekeli Velaphi, 22, who were discovered at Site C taxi rank in Khayelitsha.
The pair have been friends since when they were living in Dutywa in the Eastern Cape, where both grew up before moving to Cape Town in 2013.
The artists now depend on the public’s votes to make the cut into the top 10 bands to be announced on January 10. Voting lines close at midnight on January 7.
The competition’s judging panel will select five of the 10 bands on January 17 and re-open voting lines for the public to pick its winner. The winning act will be announced on January 25.
The ESPAfrika Young Legends competition debuted three years ago, opening the platform for past winners Lana Crowster, VuDu and Jarrad Ricketts to perform at the jazz festival.
The 2019 Cape Town International Jazz Festival will be held at the city’s International Convention Centre on March 29 and 30.
For bios of all acts and to vote for your favourite, visit www.espafrika.com/top20.