Trans-Kalahari Quintet

The Trans-Kalahari Quintet is an Afro-jazz fusion band that was formed in 2010.

The band was formed when American saxophonist Matt Dacso met drummer Arthur Makhwenkwe Mengwe while he was working as a medical doctor in Botswana. They then recruited legendary guitarist Zakes Gwaze, bassist Brian Nyakurukwa, and pianist Elliot Morgan to form the group. In 2011, the band released its first album 'Re Teng', which means "we are here" in Setswana. After Dacso moved back to his home state of Texas, the group continued to collaborate across the Atlantic and create new music. Sadly, Elliot passed away shortly after Re Teng was released, and the group worked with several piano players (including Daniel Njoroge and Lamech Nwako) before recruiting jazz legend Lekofi Sejeso to join the group on a more permanent basis. To replace Dacso for Botswana-based gigs, the group began working with the hugely talented saxophonist Andrew Chinganga, who continues as a "twin tenor" in the group. Percussionist Dingalo Mpolaise also became a permanent fixture of the band from 2018.

Two subsequent album releases in 2015 (Back to Basics) and 2018 (No Longer Strangers) were met with critical acclaim. Ultimately, in 2019 the group decided to work on releasing a compilation album through PARMA Recordings. Their upcoming 2020 release, "The Long Journey Home" has a planned release date for October 9, 2020 on the Ansonica label. In their words, "TKQ’s colorful and electric compositions, paired with skillful and unrestrained performances from his band, transcend borders to share the beauty of Botswana with the whole human family."