Lex Futshane

Lex Futshane is a respected electric and acoustic bassist, a composer, an arranger, a performer and educator.

Lex is from the second batch of the flagship group of musicians from Port Elizabeth now Gqeberha to study jazz formally under Darius Brubeck at the University of Natal Durban which is now University of KwaZulu Natal.

He currently lectures ensemble classes at Wits University.

Lex was a founding member, composer and arranger of the "Bassment", a 12 double bass ensemble comprising of 6 Jazz and 6 Classical bassists. This was a ground-breaking performance in Africa which was filmed and flighted on the SABC platforms, which was performed at the Market Theater.

His LEXtet is an exciting ensemble playing his own compositions and arrangements of local and international jazz standards. The band has released an album of Lex’s compositions titled “Innocent Victims and Perpetrators.”

Lex is a keen collaborator who has collaborated with renowned saxophonist, McCoy Mrubata on their concept called Ingqungquthela (The Summit).

He has toured the country extensively and has also performed abroad. Some of the international stages are: Swaziland, Zambia, Maputo, USA, Cuba, Korea, UK, Germany to name a few.

Since establishing himself as a renowned bassist, he has worked with amongst others, Winston “Mankunku” Ngozi, Rashied Lanie, Bheki Khoza, Bheki Mseleku, Ezra Ngcukana, Ulrich Sussie and Brice Wassy to name a few.

Lex has performed in many local and international festivals including the Grahamstown Art Festival, Arts Alive, Joy of Jazz, Bath International Music Festival in the United Kingdom, IAJE in the United States of America and a festival in Seoul, South Korea.

He played bass and co-arranged many recordings such as “Art Gecko” - Counterculture, “Durban Noise” – Jurgen Braunninger, “African Tributes- NU Jazz Connection, “Old Blue Balls Is Back”- Felema, “Before it’s too late”- Darius Brubeck.