Zoe Molelekwa

Zoe Molelekwa is a young pianist and composer who is deeply passionate about the cultural
heritage of his home, South Africa, and is committed to the power of music.
With Mentorship from an impressive muster of South African pianists, including Themba and
Afrika Mkhize, Blue Note recording artist Nduduzo Makhathini, and has worked as a sideman
for, among others, Mandla Mlangeni, Siya Makhuzeni, Sisonke Xonti, IPhupho L’ka Biko and the
Brother Moves On, to name a few.

Molelekwa exemplifies the crackling electricity of youth, firmly grounded in the spontaneity and
the discipline of a venerable jazz tradition and a solid cultural background, and has performed
around Southern Africa and the USA at venues such as Untitled Basement, Nirox Sculpture
Park, Alliance Francaise(CPT/JHB), Centro Cultural Franco-Moçambicano, Gil Vicente Cafe,
MarNABrassa, JEN Conference(Florida), and the Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Centre in New
York, to name a few.

He recently featured on the critically acclaimed jazz compilation record Indaba Is, released on
Giles Peterson’s UK-based Brownswood label with the band Iphupho L’ka Biko.

Zoe is graduating from the Manhattan School of Music as a Hugh Masekela
Heritage Scholar, and he is working on his debut album, which he will release in 2025.