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Parliamentary Jazz Award Winners 2023, Jazz EnsembleVibrant Afro-jazz band Ubunye will bring their new show to Buxton Jazz Festival. Featuring powerful vocalists from South Africa’s Kwa Zulu Natal region combined with a dynamic rhythm section and horn players from Leeds and Manchester, Ubunye’s music is a unique blend of contemporary jazz, Afro-pop and traditional ‘Isigqui’ Zulu music.
Their inspirational fusion of jazz, dance and afro-beat that encapsulates the soul of South Africa, is swiftly winning the band a legion of fans across the UK and beyond, having headlined both the Manchester and Lancaster International Jazz Festival, as well as selling out Soho’s Pizza Express Jazz Club.
Ubunye (loosely translated as ‘Oneness’ or ‘Unity’) is the conception of keyboard player and lead songwriter David Evans, who first collaborated with baritone singer Xolani Mbatha at a festival he was running in Leeds. Having put together a successful project for the festival, the working relationship between Evans and Mbatha flourished, eventually resulting in the recruitment of their most talented colleagues. The current band consists of the renowned drummer Steve Hanley plus distinguished Leeds musicians Nik Svarc and Sam Dutton-Taylor on guitar and bass respectively, as well as singers Nokuthula Zondi and Xolani Mbatha, who perfectly complement each other and provide a robust sonic force that is as soulful as it is compelling.
Having formed a group like no other, they then set out to refine their synergy through a progressive series of outstanding live shows.
Ubunye
Xolani Mbatha - vocals
Nokuthula Zondi - vocals
David Evans - keyboards/songwriter
Nik Svarc - guitar
Steve Hanley - drums
Sam Dutton - Taylor - bass
Emma Johnson - Tenor Sax
Aaron Wood - Trumpet/Flugal
‘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.’
Steve Mead, Artistic Director
‘A really crowd pleasing show from Ubunye at Hull Jazz Festival. Full of life, love and vitality that completely lifts the spirit that joins audience and performers into one. ‘
David Porter, director Hull Jazz Festival
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton Cinema, St Johns Road, Buxton, SK17 6XQ, United Kingdom,Buxton
Tickets
