Lex Futshane

Lex Futshane is an internationally proclaimed electric and acoustic bassist, prolific composer,
arranger, performer and educator. This music graduate from the University of Kwazulu-Natal
currently lectures the ensemble classes at Wits University.

Lex is a founder member, composer and arranger of "Bassment" a 12 double bass ensemble comprising of 6 Jazz and 6 Classical bassists, a first in Africa. 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.”

Apart from touring with the LEXtet, he plays in the Ingqungquthela (Summit) which is
a collaboration with renowned saxophonist, McCoy Mrubata. He and McCoy Mrubata
conducted a workshop at the Nelson Mandela University when they visited the city for their
performance.

He had a very successful tour of KwaZulu Natal where he performed at numerous venues and gave music workshops in major cities as well as in rural areas. He has toured and performed extensively around the world such as in 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, The Modern jazz group led by Patrick Pasha, Winston “Mankunku” Ngozi, Rashied Lanie, Bheki Khoza, Bheki Mseleku, Ezra Ngcukana, Ulrich Sussie and Brice Wassy to name just 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.

The LEXtet which comes in different sizes from a duo to a small big band provides music for
corporate events (tailor-making their music within reason to suit the events theme) inside and outside the country. Amongst others the LEXtet played at the launch of iBurst, Telkom tower in Tshwane, 21 Icons of SA, Cell C, BMW, Linde, Climate Leadership Awards, Telkom launch in Zambia & Sizwe
Medical Fund as well as for patrons at private venues.