Musicians in South Africa

A Passion for Performance Tarryn Light is a dynamic entertainer whose vibrant personality and commanding stage presence leave audiences laughing, crying, and fully immersed in every performance. With a lifelong love for singing and musical theatre, she has built a versatile career rooted in both passion and professional excellence. Training and Achievements Holding a Grade 7 in Music, Singing, and Performing Arts from Trinity College London, and a Bachelor of Arts in Drama from the University of Pretoria, Tarryn combines natural talent with rigorous training. She is a prominent figure in Port Elizabeth’s theatre community, serving on the committee of Read more...

Zelda Malan, a gifted violinist originally from Pretoria, now graces Gqeberha with her exceptional musical talent and passion. Known for combining technical mastery with heartfelt expression, Zelda leaves an indelible mark on every stage she performs. Her dedication to the violin has resulted in a career defined by versatility, passion, and artistry. Performance Highlights Zelda has performed with some of South Africa’s most esteemed ensembles, including: The Johannesburg Music Initiative The Johannesburg Festival Orchestra The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra Her performances have enchanted audiences in prestigious venues, including the Linder Auditorium, where she effortlessly blends classical masterpieces with contemporary hits. These Read more...

Dave Goldblum has recorded 7 albums with local and international musicians, and toured extensively at home and abroad. His song ‘Say Africa’ was recorded by world music icon Vusi Mahlasela, and performed at the 2010 Worĺd Cup concerts, which had a couple of billion views at the time. Highlights in his performance history include support acts for Crosby, Stills and Nash, touting with folk hero Shawn Phillips, and countless festivals like Splashy Fen, Oppikoppi and the NAF in Grahamstown, as well as tours to Namibia, the UK, Austria, Switzerland and Israel. Read more...

Udaka is a duo from Port Elizabeth with its founding members Ludwe Mgolombane and Sandile Bayller Suka, whom are not strangers in the Eastern Cape creative scene. The two have established a strong connection combining their skills in collaborating and birthing UDAKA. Sandile, from Port Elizabeth is a self-taught multi-disciplined instrumentalist. To have strong skills of bass; guitar; drums and lead guitar which are all naturally groomed skills. Ludwe, on the other hand, is self-taught in guitar and the master in the art of ceramic sculpture. He is a natural lover of music and art and putting the two in Read more...

StrayTalk is a 5-piece cover band from Port Elizabeth who formed in March 2018 after two local pub groups decide to get together. The band performs at all events and dive bars, and on a yearly basis they present a Decades Show at one of the popular live music venues in PE. They have also opened for top South African bands at festivals and shows, with their highlight being the support act for the rock band, Black Cat Bones. With their energetic stage performance and synergy, they plan to do a vacation tour of the Garden Route and Gauteng, and Read more...

Chris Winterskind has strong roots in the Eastern Cape, he grew up loving the ocean and with a passion for music. Chris has been following a career as a musician for 10 years now with no intention of stopping. Touring the country in an old yellow Volkswagen combi selling his sound to everyone he meets has only inspired him further. Chris is very driven with big dreams and a lot of passion for his music and his career. With his trusty guitar, custom made box, foot pedal, harmonica and tambourine he truly is a talented musician with a large skill Read more...

A Distinctive Guitar Voice Mano Smith is a vibrant, seasoned, and soulful guitarist whose music transcends boundaries. With a career spanning decades, Mano has earned his place among South Africa’s most respected musicians, sharing stages with legends such as George Benson, Hugh Masekela, Jimmy Dludlu, Selaelo Selota, Freshlyground, MXO, Vusi Nova, Judith Sephuma, Don Laka, Ernie Smith, and the late Johnny Clegg and Oliver Mtukudzi. His signature guitar style is an expressive fusion of jazz, soul, funk, and African rhythms, crafted into a unique voice that speaks directly to the heart. Though his musical journey has touched every genre imaginable, Read more...

Gareth recounts the origin of his dream: At 15 he was made to wait outside the pubs when musicians played because he wasn’t allowed inside. Driven by the kind of love that grows only in exclusion, he played his first gig at the age of 16. The first song he wrote was for his daughter, Gabi, who introduced him to country in the innocence of her youth. Read more...

Black Velvet is a 2 piece duo (Husband and Wife, Sean and Jacqui Lategan) which began in 2008, originally based in East London and now based in Port Elizabeth since 2012, with more than 10 years’ experience, Black Velvet offers dynamic vocals, electric guitar and keyboard with Backing Tracks accompaniment. Black Velvet offer live music entertainment for any event or function, including Corporate Functions, Birthday Parties and Weddings as well as music for Sports Clubs, Bars, Pubs and Restaurants. Black Velvet is fast becoming known as a 70’s and 80’s Cover Band playing a wide variety of popular music that Read more...

Go The Rodeo are from the western outskirts of Johannesburg and their current lineup consists of Corne van Niekerk (vocals, guitar) and Craig Atkinson (drums). Corné and Robert Mitchley formed the duo after having done various music projects together. In the beginning of 2017 they emerged with a fresh sound, and were joined by Craig Atkinson, drummer for the electronic/post-hardcore band, Bombs and Issues. Robert would later leave the band in 2020 due to personal reasons. Read more...

South African born, adult contemporary singer, Wendy Oldfield, born in Cape Town in February 1964. At the age of nineteen, she formed the rock group The Sweatband, where she was the lead vocalist. And released two albums. For a short while she was involved with the band Mondetta (1999–2001), with Steve Newman, Julia Kim, Gito Baloi and Elad Neeman. They released their debut album Small World, and performed to packed houses at venues around South Africa, before releasing her fifth album Holy Water. At the ninth official South African Music Awards she received a nomination for the Best of Adult Read more...

Kobus Gouws is a seasoned musician from Port Elizabeth who plays electric guitar and performs as a one-man band or as a party duo at with his daughter, Karla Gouws. Read more...

Neil Grundlingh has being playing around SA since the 70’s in many forms of styles and combinations. First recordings done in the 70’s with a band called Bishop….then moved to Jhb to gig in night clubs in Hillbrow and surrounding areas…recorded again in the Just Ginger studios in Midrand and moved back to my home town…PE….started performing and jamming with a lot of the local PE musos and am loving being back here as we know PE seems to be the nucleus of a lot of the great music. go to all performers Read more...

The ensemble comprises a Saxophonist, a Cellist, a Pianist and a Percussionist. With a healthy mix of Jazz and Classical training, the ensemble composes and arranges music that touches on elements and or themes from both these mainstream genres mixed in with a touch of pop culture and African rhythms and sounds creates this mash of beautiful, soulful and soothing music that touches the soul. The idea behind Jacaranda Muse, both in name and in practice, was to move away from playing a type of music that could be labeled as either this or that. The idea was to just Read more...

Blaze Jazz Band, originating from Port Elizabeth formed in 2005 and comprises of members; Lee Anne Wales on vocals; Enrico Damons on vocals; Saki Nompozolo on Drums; Curtis K on Saxophone; Mzwanele Maqhosha on Keyboard and Thembani Khubashe on Bass Guitar. This popular, energetic band has performed with the cream of South African jazz musicians and has been a regular feature on the Eastern Cape festival scene and events, such as the Ebubeleni Music Festival, IsiXhosa Festival and the National Arts Festival. Having versatility and flair, the band members have on occasion collaborated with musicians from abroad visiting Nelson Mandela Read more...

From early teens Alasdair Gillies musical influences were anything from Cliff Richard and the Shadows, to the Everly Brothers and Rock and Roll. He started playing guitar at 16 when his influences then were the new Folk and Folk Rock era, Dylan, the Byrds, Donovan, Then came to the forefront with Blues with Eric Clapton and the John Mayall’s  Bluesbreakers. Jimi Hendrix also became one of his obsessions. So as a novice guitarist he dabbled a bit in all these areas. go to all performers Read more...

Growing up with creative parents, Werner joined his father on the road at an early age – music was ingrained into his existence. He went on to study Music at the Campus of Performing Arts and has since written music for various artists, as well as for film. In 2015, he independently recorded and released his debut EP, Lalaith, followed by A Northern Summer in 2017. That same year his internationally acclaimed single ‘Run’ was selected to be part of the BalconyTV compilation CD. Werner has shared a stage with major South African acts, including Shortstraw, Man as Machine, The Read more...

CAROLINE SWART – I live in South Africa, in a quaint coastal city called Port Elizabeth. After leaving school, I joined a pop band, touring casinos as a professional singer for three years. Once the tour ended, I studied software development, eventually obtaining a BSC Computer Science degree. To earn extra cash as a teenager, I worked at a toy store, a drive-inn theatre, and a horse racing track. go to all performers Read more...

JoAsh Jazz Band Jazz Band – Joash started playing the piano when he was 13 years old. 2 years later he started playing the flute and a few years after that he took up the clarinet. In 2010 took up the saxophone, started with the alto and took up the tenor and soprano sax I have been playing music for the last 8 years now and there is not one day that goes by that I am not grateful for having music as my passion. In 2010, in my Grade 10 year; I passed my flute Grade 8 practical exam Read more...

Prior to this, she studied Music Performance & Music business, followed by a 4-year stint working abroad as a Music Director on board cruise ships. Here she was heavily influenced by musicians from all over the world which equipped her for the rollercoaster ride of a music career she is currently experiencing! go to all performers Read more...

Mandisa Sishi was born on 17 December 1959, Manisa Sishi grew up in Eastern Pondoland, Lusikisiki where her father served as a Missionary, a Pastor in the Seventh Day Adventist Church. As one of the founder members of the Joy Bells Singers, a Mixed Voices Group of the Seventh Day Adventists in Mthatha, in the Eastern Cape., they recorded two Albums in 1981 and 1982 at the SABC Studios in Johannesburg. In 2011 Mandisa held a Concert in Pinetown where she worked with the Jazz Band. This is where she realised that she needed to focus on developing her music Read more...

After a few jobs in the business sector, Johnny Ray resigned to follow his passion for the guitar and music. He started his music career back in 1994 when he left Durban and went to P.E. for a 2 week holiday. His first solo gig was at “It’s Country” and the rest is history. After 8 years in P.E. he moved to Cape Town where he still resides. He does have a soft spot for P.E. and returns every so often for a visit. The last one being early last year. Read more...

Khanya Matomela went to the Grahamstown Eisteddfod three times winning GOLD twice with voice (Opera) and once with piano. I started performing in front of audiences at the age of 15 with my Dad’s band I also played in jazz bands on Sundays with Pat Pasha and New Waves. I played Kwaito with the group F2F. After school I studied sound engineering at Damelin I joined the Centerstage All Star Band in 2008 as a keyboard player, I made my appearances in The Beatles, Elvis and U2 tribute shows with CenterStage and was full-time with them I have been involved Read more...

Robin Auld, legendary singer, songwriter and guitarist is located in Cape Town. go to all performers Read more...