Abavuki

BIO

Abavuki are a powerhouse Afro-Fusion World Music Ensemble from Langa, Cape Town, South Africa. Their live performances have been described as “absolutely incredible”, “riveting” and “ an incredible rhythmic sound storm”.

The music is based on traditional African instruments (marimbas, drums & percussion) overlaid with brass (trumpet / trombone / saxophone) and vocals to create their unique, vibrant & contemporary Mzansi sound, firmly based on African music principles & influenced by kwaito, jazz and Latin American rhythms.

Abavuki are renowned as phenomenal live performers and have played their original tunes in 13 countries to date for crowds of up to 80 000 people, with a repertoire that resonates easily across cultures to bring people together for a fantastic party and get everyone dancing!

Their latest album, The Right Key, was released in September 2024 and showcases their signature sound, with the maturity and evolution of some 23 years of playing together.

Core Band Members:
Andile Makubalo, Bongani Ngesi, Thando Sishuba, Sabu Jiyana & Kim Masala.

DISCOGRAPHY:
The Right Key - 2024
One Summer in Europe - 2015
Decade - 2012
Africa got Soul - 2009
Live in China – 2006
African Rhythms – 2004

ACHIEVEMENTS:
- IMEXSA 2015 Export of the Year
- selected for Womex 2014 & Visa For Music 2014,
- commissioned to record “Africa got Soul” to celebrate Motown’s 50th anniversary

PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Festive Lights Switch On, Cape Town - 2022 (80 000 people)
- Global Livestream / launch of #Abavuki20years anniversary celebrations - 2021
- Opening of the Cape Epic Race - 2020
- Bazique Festival, SA - 2019
- Rainforest World Music Festival, Sarawak, Malaysia - 2017
- Voorkamerfest, Darling - 2015
- Ethno Port, Poznan, Poland - 2015
- Respect Festival, Prague, Czech Rep - 2015
- Oerol, Terschelling, the Netherlands - 2015
- Houtfestival, Haarlem, the Netherlands - 2015
- Fusion-Festival, Larz, Germany - 2015
- Afrikafestival, Hertme, the Netherlands - 2015
- Zomer van Antwerpen, Belgium - 2015
- Colours of Ostrava, Czech Rep - 2015
- Okarina Etno Festival, Bled, Slovenia - 2015
- Festival der Kulturen, Augsburg, Germany - 2015
- Folk Holidays, Náměšť nad Oslavou, Czech Rep - 2015
- Bardentreffen, Nürnberg, Germany - 2015
- Private shows, Algeria - 2014
- “Africa Connect” festival - 2013
- Rocking the Daisies - 2013
- World Music festival in Cape Town - 2012
- Resident band for 2 months on the Viking Line ferry between Sweden and Finland - 2010
- Travelled to China in 2006, where they spent a week in each of Urumqi, Xi’ning and Beijing. Their second album “Live in China” was recorded in Xi’ing.
- Featured in BBC4 documentary with Midge Ure (ex Ultravox) – 2009

Management: Nikki Froneman / Arte Viva Management