Contrabandits debut at Jazz X Change
Dumisani Ncube | Tuesday May 26, 2015 12:38
The newly formed band, which consist of experienced musicians from different backgrounds: Mandiswa Mabutho, Tebogo ‘Debbie with a T’, percussionist Sebabatso, Boski Senwelo, vocalist-cum-guitarist Tafadzwa ‘Tafnaz’ Nazare and rapper-cum-drummer, Japhala ‘Aether’ Gwangwa.
Contrabandits manager, Selby Muir, said that Jazz X Change is the proper platform for the mixed genre band to showcase their craft.
“We have always wanted to do performances, but we were waiting for the proper time to do so. We felt like Jazz X Change was the proper platform considering the type of music we do,” he said.
Despite the band performing at a number of places such as the Nijel Amos roast at Bull’ n’ Bush late last year, this will be their first official performance.
Muir further mentioned that since the year started they reduced the number of their appearances to give way for more rehearsals, “we have been sharpening our performance style and developing our own sound”.
The Contrabandits outfit, which will be releasing a new single Covering Ground next month performs cover tracks of different artists such as Tracy Chapman and Amy Winehouse with live instruments.
One of the band members, Gwangwa said that their performance at Jazz X Change will comprise of covers and unreleased tracks from their upcoming album, scheduled for release in September.
“Our performances on the cover tracks will be significant in that we will perform the songs in different original tunes and genres,” said Aether.
He further said that the different backgrounds from his band mates will add more fun and aesthetic to their performances during the show, “this is our moment to impress and show the public what we are capable of doing”.
The Contrabandits is a rich collective of musicians who have performed at on varying platforms such as Maitisong and the Malaysia Music festivals. Their genres cover RnB, adult contemporary music, jazz and funk.
Jazz X Change has previously hosted different artists such as Mpho Sebina, Sereetsi and the Natives and Clyde Chisale.