The UKZN Centre for Jazz and Popular Music celebrates the centenary anniversaries of Miles Davis and John Coltrane in celebration of Jazz Appreciation month
2026 provides opportunity to celebrate the centenary occasions of two of jazz’s great icons, Miles Davis and John Coltrane. The theme therefore of the Centre’s Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) celebration in April is Miles and Trane @100: the impact of Miles Davis and John Coltrane on SA jazz and culture. Consequently, the regular Wednesday night concert programme at CJPM will pay homage to these two jazz giants with a sequence of four themed concerts in April:
15th: Annual Jazz vocal showcase
The annual celebration of vocal jazz spotlights the repertoires
of Miles and Trane as jazz voice lecturer, Debbie Mari puts the talented
singers through their paces.
22nd: Miles meets
Mzansi
The spirit of innovation and futurism of Miles Davis meets
the imagination of young South African musicians. New arrangements of classic
Miles Davis tunes that are woven into the sound and feel of contemporary South
Africa. Ntokozo Nsimbane on trumpet, Siyalo Zulu on trombone, Neil Gonsalves on
piano, Zolile Mgqatsha on bass and Riley Giandhari on drums.
29th: George Mari
present a Miles Davis tribute
George Mari (trumpet), Debbie Mari (voice), Leon Scharnick (saxophone),
Melvin Peters (piano), Thutho Motsemme (bass) and Riley Giandhari take to the
stage to celebrate classic Miles.
In addition, the jazz ensembles are working on repertoire in
preparation to make presentation of the story and music of Miles and Trane to
local schools and community music programs. The Centre is excited to have its
new saxophone teacher, Mr Linda Sikhakane lead our students in this endeavour.
THE SONGBOOK SESSIONS
Monday 13 April!
Renowned guitarist - Nick Pitman is the host for the evening
- playing his own compositions, including Jaedon's compositions in the set.
Joined by Masuda (Obakeng Thamage) on Keys, Brayden Hore on Bass and Bruce Baker on Drums. If you are a musician and want to jam on the tunes, come through at 18h00!
Monday 20 April
This will be led by the dynamic vocalist Xolisa Dlamini.
Tickets at Webtickets:
https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1587340270
Monday 27 April
The Songbook session at Bean Bag Jazz Lounge.
The Songbook Session departures from its regular Venue at
UKZN Jazz Centre. 27th will be hosted by the beautiful Bean Bag Jazz Lounge and
led by the incredible Dr Natalie Rungan. For audiences and musicians alike, The
Songbook Sessions offers a vibrant platform for collaboration, learning, and
musical exploration—continuing its mission to cultivate community through live
performance and shared repertoire.
For audiences and musicians alike, The Songbook Sessions offer a vibrant platform for collaboration, learning, and musical exploration—continuing its mission to cultivate community through live performance and shared repertoire. Held weekly on Mondays from 18h00. Entrance is free for participating musicians and artists.
The Songbook Sessions Monday night jam session is made possible through the generous funding support of Concerts SA, Festival Enterprise Catalyst, SAMRO, and the National Treasury Jobs Fund.