umBaqanga weBlues

uMbaqanga weBlues is a collective of young musicians dedicated to preserve the ethnic sound and culture of traditional South African jazz. This dynamic ensemble of gifted musicians comprises of five
members who share a common goal and understanding of South African Jazz with a fusion of avantgarde and contemporary jazz. These young talented people were born and raised in Johannesburg, Soweto and go by the names, Solethu Madasa who plays the piano, Daluxolo Mqwathi who plays the contra bass, Obakeng Mabitsela who plays drums, Thabang Moloi who plays the flute and Kgosana More who plays the Tenor Saxophone. Their music careers as a collective started in 2014 when they had come together as a group at their college of music – Central Johannesburg College - to play tribute to the late Sisa Sopazi. They have since created and performed their music at various events, to name a few, Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, World Sound Concerts, and have collaborated with other master musicians such as Bra Khaya Mahlangu as they played the tribute to Bheki Mseleku at African Other Jazz, who is amongst the people they admire and are inspired by. They have also collaborated alongside giants such as Mandisi Dyantyis. They have also been part of a music scoring project for a kid’s television show – Ditshomo. They believe that collaborating with different people to create soundscapes can communicate with other young artists to encourage them to venture in vast spaces of art.