Image: Jeffrey Abrahams
PROFILE
Abavuki are an Afro-Fusion World Music Ensemble from Langa, Cape Town, who celebrated their 20th anniversary in December 2021. Their popular music style sees traditional African instruments (drums, percussion & marimbas) overlaid with brass (trumpet / saxophone / trombone) and vocals to create their unique, vibrant & contemporary Mzansi sound, firmly based on African music principles & influenced by kwaito, jazz and Latin American rhythms.
Their live performances have been described as “absolutely incredible”, “riveting” and “ an incredible rhythmic sound storm”.
Abavuki are internationally loved and have played their vivacious upbeat grooves in 13 countries to date, including the Netherlands, Germany, Algeria, Germany and China. They have performed for crowds of up to 40 000 people, and their connection to rhythm, joy and life resonates easily across cultures to bring people together and get everyone dancing!
* THE RIGHT KEY - New Album now available on all streaming platforms!
LISTEN / STREAM
Abavuki live at the Festive Lights Switch-On (Cape Town, 2022) - 3
Abavuki live at the Festive Lights Switch-On (Cape Town, 2022) - 3
Abavuki live at the Festive Lights Switch-On (Cape Town, 2022) - 2
Abavuki live at the Festive Lights Switch-On (Cape Town, 2022) - 1
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
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Producers of Ingoma, The Song of Africa, with 8 dancers, performed on various international cruise liners
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Langa Centenary, SA, 2023
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Festive Lights Switch On, SA, 2022 (80 000 audience)
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Abavuki in Concert #Roadto20 - Global Livestream & Physical Concert, 2021
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Opening of the Cape Epic Race, SA, 2020
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Bazique Festival, SA, 2019
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Rainforest World Music Festival, Sarawak, Malaysia, 2017
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Ethno Port, Poznan, Poland, 2015
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Respect Festival, Prague, Czech Rep, 2015
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Oerol, Terschelling, the Netherlands, 2015
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Houtfestival, Haarlem,
the Netherlands, 2015 -
Fusion-Festival, Larz, Germany, 2015
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Afrikafestival, Hertme,
the Netherlands, 2015 -
Zomer van Antwerpen, Belgium, 2015
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Colours of Ostrava, Czech Rep, 2015
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Okarina Etno Festival, Bled, Slovenia, 2015
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Festival der Kulturen, Augsburg,
Germany, 2015 -
Folk Holidays, Náměšť nad Oslavou,
Czech Republic, 2015 -
Bardentreffen, Nürnberg, Germany, 2015
DISCOGRAPHY
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The Right Key (2024)
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One Summer in Europe (2015)
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Decade (2012)
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Africa got Soul (2009)
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Live in China (2006)
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African Rhythms (2004)
PREVIOUS INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCES
Algeria, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Malaysia, Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia & Sweden
BAND LINE UP & PERFORMANCE FORMATS
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Sabu Jiyana - marimbas, mbira, percussion & vocals
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Kim Masala - marimbas, percussion & vocals
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Thando Sishuba - trumpet & vocals
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Ndima Makubalo - percussion & vocals
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Bongani Ngesi - marimbas, percussion & vocals
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Alizwa Tyala - trumpet & vocals (regular guest)
Performance format options:
6 - 8 piece band / up to 10 piece plus dancers
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
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20 year Anniversary International Live Stream Concert - 2021
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Winner of IMEXSA Export of
the Year - 2015 -
Selected & Performed at Womex - 2014
