Jazz Cats Sa

Behind the name “Jazz Cats SA” lies an Afrocentric quartet from Soweto: Sphiwe Nxumalo on keys, Boitumelo Pitso on vocals, Musa Ngubeni on electric bass and Molefi Phuroe on drums. The band is currently promoting their E.Ps., “Moon Travelling” and No Days, as well as continuing to work on new, original material. They serve Afro-jazz from the new school, tastefully blending it with soul and very subtly incorporating boom bap drum patterns. Their self-titled sub-genre is “Astro” - linked to the concept of astronomy, i.e. an excursion to another world. The musical narratives capture the worldviews and realities of sophisticated African millennials.

Jazz Cats SA has been playing shows in the “artsy” music, festivals and jam session scenes of Soweto, Johannesburg and Mpumalanga, crafting their product for over 7 years now. Keys maestro, Spijo, transformed from DJ and sound engineer to playing the live keyboard at his DJ sets. Craving the ability to create with live instruments, he initially sought the now members of the band for assistance with songs and the band organically came together to form Jazz Cats SA.

Musical influences include: Philip Tabane, Busi Mhlongo, Zim Ngqawana, Jill Scott, Meshell Ndegeocello and the Soulquarians. They have made appearances on YFM Live and Rewired, Power FM, SABC 2 Afro Cafe, SABC3 The MIC, Selimathunzi Interview and Vuzu. Jazz Cats SA’s live experiences allow you to bear witness to their personal vision of jazz: exquisite melodies, subtly experimental, free-souled, vibey, perfectly complimented by skillful bass lines and imbued with unmistakable Africanness. “Amakati’s” musical objective is to reverse stereotypes about what a modern musician from the townships of the southern tip of Africa embodies.