Advertisement
On Friday March 20th Bossaphonik presents a special double bill of Central and South African fusion music as we host for the second time round both Ubunye and Liz Ikamba.**Earlier start – live music starts at 9pm!**
Ubunye perform vibrant Afro jazz consisting of South African Zulu vocal harmonies combined with contemporary jazz-dance grooves. They’ll be taking a trip down south from their Leeds base to dazzle us and uplift our spirits. They contain a 3 part mixed gender vocal section who originate from the Kwa Zulu Natal region of South Africa, combined with some of the top UK musicians from the northern jazz scene. The result is a unique high energy performance of jazz with Afro-pop and “Isigqui” Zulu music – a soulful goose bump inducing sound containing original pieces cleverly fused with South African songs. It’s a mix of ancient tradition and contemporary flare in a music that has won them a legion of fans across the UK and beyond.
The name Ubunye is loosely translated as “unity” or “oneness.” The lyrics are delivered in a mixture of English and Zulu with the ensemble of voices allowing for rich and exuberant harmonising, promoting themes of racial and musical unity. The band was originally formed by pianist Dave Evans and baritone vocalist Xolani Mbathe for a one-off festival performance. This was such a success that they set about recruiting many more musicians creating a unique band that has gone on to headline Manchester and Lancaster jazz festivals and play countless UK shows. They have gained a revered live reputation and the line up for this Bossaphonik show consists of an 8 piece of drums, bass, guitar, sax, trumpet, keyboard/vocals and two vocalists. Ubunye were also winners of “best ensemble of the year” at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2023. The band have released two albums – “Tell Me The Truth Or Don’t Tell Me Anything (2025) and Ubunye (2022).
“In that moment, it seemed hard to believe that anything so propulsive and joyous could come to a halt. The same could be said about the applause and shouts that followed.” Wakefield Jazz
“Ubunye is a joyous celebration and proof, should it be needed, of the creative energy and unity possible when cultures meet through the medium of music. Rejoicing in their wide-ranging backgrounds, ages and styles, they were a surefire hit with the Manchester Jazz Festival audience, uplifting the soul with their close vocal harmonies, undulating rhythms and affirmative lyrics…” Steve Mead, Artistic Director of Manchester Jazz Festival
Check out Ubunye performing their song “Hey Now” at Lancaster Jazz Festival 2025:
Check out the music of Ubunye on their bandcamp page:
https://ubunye.bandcamp.com/
Opening proceedings is British-Congolese (DRC) singer and multi-instrumentalist Liz Ikamba with her band. The Brighton-based artist’s shows cross-pollinate musical and cultural influences – seamlessly blending the rich and vibrant sounds of Congo folk and traditional African rhythms with sounds from across the diaspora including dub reggae, soul, jazz and hip hop. Think Nina Simone, Sade and Erykah Badu with a Congolese twist. Her songs are sung in both English and Lingala and are full of catchy irresistible hooks, speaking from her experience as a woman of dual African and British heritage living in the UK. Delivering an unforgettable and interactive live show, Liz creates a shared feeling of belonging to a borderless musical community. A bold and boundary pushing experience awaits as we look forward with excitement to her 6 piece band.
“Well-crafted melodies that honoured African diasporic influences with acapella flourishes”
Songlines Magazine, review of the Mama EP launch gig
“An inspired and beautiful fusion of folk influenced soul and Congolese music” John Warr, Afrobase, Radio Reverb
Check out a video showreel from Liz Ikamba's performance at Shambala Festival 2025:
Check out a showreel of recent performances at a number of venues:
Following on from the live music is a Bossaphonik club session with resident DJ Dan Ofer & DJ Badger treating the dancefloor til 1:30am to the sounds of…
Jazz Funk * Afrobeat * Afro Jazz * Reggae * Brazilica * Latin Jazz * Cumbia * Global Hip Hop * Balkan Beats * Middle Eastern Delights * Soul Jazz * Electro Swing * Global Grooves Galore * Nu Jazz Bizniz!
Friday 20th March
Bossaphonik Presents Ubunye + Liz Ikamba + Bossaphonik DJs
Cowley Workers Social Club, Between Towns Road. OX4 3LZ (Near Templars Square Shopping Centre. Regular buses 1 and 5 go from city centre up Cowley Road and back til 2:55am, stopping opposite the venue)
8pm – 1:30am. ** Earlier start** Live music starts at 9pm
£15 advance + £1.50 booking fee (wegottickets.com) / £17 student ID on door / £20 door
Hope to see you there!
Advertisement
Event Venue
Cowley Workers Social Club, OX4 3LZ Oxford, United Kingdom, Taberu, 100 Cowley Road, Oxford, OX4 1JE, United Kingdom
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
