top of page

ARTE VIVA ARTIST ROSTER  |  The Unity Band

UNITY_Colour_Web Res-109-min_cover.jpg

Image: Daniel Rutland Manners

THE UNITY BAND

South Africa  |  Jazz, South African Jazz

Emerging Young Artist

PROFILE

The Unity Band brings together some of the hottest young performers of their generation, a diverse collective who revel in creating new music exploring the rich and vibrant cultural diversity of South Africa. Rooted in jazz and inspired by a multitude of genres, this 8-piece Cape Town-based ensemble has a fresh musical identity with elements of hip hop, salsa, funk, poetry, and at its core, a contemporary African sound. 

 

The Unity Band was founded by drummer and vocalist, Lumanyano “Unity” Mzi, with fellow students at the South African College of Music (University of Cape Town).  Now all graduated and in demand as professional performers in their own rights, each member forms an integral part of The Unity Band.  The group's debut album 'Fabric' was released to critical and audience acclaim in 2019, and there is much anticipation for their next record.  The Unity Band are a stellar band to watch!

LISTEN / STREAM

"Bringing an undeniable swank to the genre as a whole, The Unity Band is all sorts of interesting... and going nowhere but up right now"
 
Skye Mallac, Texx & the City

The Unity Band Live @ The Silo Jazz Series - Onset of Dawn

The Unity Band Live @ The Silo Jazz Series - Onset of Dawn
The Unity Band Live @ The Silo Jazz Series - Onset of Dawn

The Unity Band Live @ The Silo Jazz Series - Onset of Dawn

06:19
Play Video
The Unity Band Performs “Buy’ eKhaya” (Come Home)

The Unity Band Performs “Buy’ eKhaya” (Come Home)

04:24
Play Video
The Unity Band Performs “Onset of Dawn”

The Unity Band Performs “Onset of Dawn”

04:07
Play Video

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Up the Creek Festival, SA (2020)

  • Jack Parow & The Unity Band Live at the Daisy Jones (2020)

  • Selected for the Cape Town International Jazz Festival & Sanlam Jazz Festival (2020) - Both postponed due to Covid

  • Mzantzi Jazz Award for Best Newcomers in Jazz (2019)

  • Performance on the nationally syndicated Expresso Morning Show

  • Top 5 in the annual espAfrika Young Legends Competition (2019)

DISCOGRAPHY

  • Fabric - Unity Band (2019) 

  • Featured on Brasskaap Vol 3 - McCoy Mrubata (2019)

 

Upcoming:

  • New Album: Breaking Bread, release date TBA

PERFORMANCE FORMAT OPTIONS

  • 8 piece band

USUAL BAND LINE-UP

  • Thandeka Dladla - Lead Vocals 

  • Lumanyano Mzi - Drums & Backing Vocals

  • Stephen de Souza - Double and Electric Bass, Backing Vocals

  • Lonwabo Mafani - Piano  

  • Lilavan Gangen - Percussion

  • Ofenstse Moshwetsi - Alto Saxophone 

  • Marco Maritz - Trumpet

  • Dylan Fine - Guitar

bottom of page