Bongani Umculi

Bongani Umculi is an artist South Africa. Bongani Umculi, is a PE-born singer, who sings African and contemporary Xhosa music. His influences are diverse music genres – like African Jazz, Mbaqanga, Maskandi, international Jazz and contemporary African music. He grew up listening to Stimela, Cheek to Cheek, Chicco, Splash, Patricia Majalisa, Brenda Fassie, Yvonne Chaka Chaka – later to Ringo, Mankunku Ngozi, Andile Yenana, Michael Franks, Grover Washington Jnr. etc.
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY
Diploma in Introduction to Jazz Studies | Jan 2001 - Dec 2003
Studied Music (Jazz piano, music history, African music)
Fuba School of Music
Bongani later co-founded a vocal group called Ubuntu Abahlobo Kwi Ngoma while back in PE. They started as a gospel male group but changed as Bongani started writing African sounds with isiXhosa folklore influences and contemporary sound. Bongani and his friends are yet to wow the city before they take their music to the world. He has worked mostly in the development by forming local music groups and collaborating with other local artists - writing songs, and playing piano and bass for these different local artists. In 1997 Port Elizabeth Melodious Voices (co-formed) won ON THE GO SHOW - best group category with the 2 songs BU composed. He was a FUBA School of Music school band pianist where he played in different festivals around Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and Free State, including Joy of Jazz in 2002. Bongani Umculi played piano with KAMB Quartet (Khumo Kganyago's band - Judith Sephuma's guitarist) in Johannesburg Municipal gigs, Bassline, and Joy of Jazz. He was a pianist for KWANI (later became KWANI EXPERIENCE based in Johannesburg)

Bongani recently worked with different local artists in Gqebera as a bassist in EKHAYA SESSIONS a brand owned by an artist called LOVECHILD. BU also plays bass guitar for a band called UbuntuMakwande, Ubuntu Abahlobo Kwingoma for other local artists as he is still involved in the development.
He is presently preparing music that he will record as a solo artist backed by his Song Friends Ubuntu Abahlobo Kwingoma.