Steven Mabona

Steven Mabona was born in the township of Daveyton on 9 July 1968. His love of music started at an early age when he used to watch the Jazz Ministers rehearse a street away from his home. He got his first acoustic guitar from a tenant Patrick Shabangu who had a shack at his house back yard.

He joined the Music Academy of Gauteng as a student in 1994. At the time he had a grade 3 Music Theory Certificate from Kopano Community Centre that was housed at the Wits University Corner, a project that was sponsored by the then Shell Road To Fame. At the Academy He worked through his grades until he reached grade 7 and started working as a bass student tutor.

In 2001 Steven was employed on full time basis by the Academy as an Electric and Double Bass teacher. Apart from teaching the basses, he also teaches higher level theory, music technology, music business and various Performing Arts Unit Standards accredited by the CATHSSETA.
Steven’s unmistakable bass sound echoes on many recordings such as all Four Fourty albums, the Music Academy of Gauteng and three of Norman Chauke’s albums.

At home he has played alongside with the likes of Dr. Johnny Mekoa, Hugh Masekela, Nomvula Ndlazlwane, Johnny Fourie, Don Albert, McCoy Mrubata, Bibi Msomi, Abigail Kubeka, Sophie Mgcina, Thandie Klaasen and many more. Internationally he played bass for Duke Jones (New York), Cynthia Dewberry (New Orleans), Kevin Mahogany Big Band (USA), Everette Greene Jazz Orchestra directed by (USA) to name but a few. Adding to his list as a featured artist, he has just finished recording Sindiswa Seakhoa’s debut album which is already released.