Mandla Mlangeni Quartet

Having toured extensively with the Cape Town Opera’s production of Porgy and Bess from 2009- 2014 with performances at esteemed opera houses in Europe. Mlangeni is founding member of Amandla Freedom Ensemble (Bhekisizwe 2016 SAMA nominated Best Jazz Album and Born To Be Black: A Celebration Of The Conscious Soul). Mlangeni’s other outfit aptly named the Tune Recreation Committee (TRC) listed as New York Times’ Best Albums for 2017 and made their debut appearance at the 2017 Cape Town International Jazz Festival. The New York Times mentions, “this alliance of young South African musicians delves into the country’s syncretic cultural heritage — then ventures beyond. You hear Balkan folk, American funk, West African high life, South African free jazz. Most of all, you hear five bristling improvisers dancing together, modelling a kind of thoughtful communion”.

As recipient of 2016 Pro Helvetia Artist in Residence in Bern, Switzerland he collaborated with many esteemed musicians culminating in a SADC Album Tour Launch in 2019.  He was also a participant of the Take Five presented by SERIOUS Music UK at the Bore Place Residency in Kent England 2016. He has performed and collaborated with several distinguished jazz musicians such as both locally and abroad including but not limited to David Murray, Evan Parker, Feya Faku, Louis Moholo, Shabaka Hutchings (UK), Ganesh Geymeier (CH), Barney Rachabane, Hotsix Mabuse, Hugh Masekela, Khaya Mahlangu, Andile Yenana and Afrika Mkhize, to name a few. Mlangeni has curated several other initiatives in Johannesburg and Cape Town such as the Afrikan Freedom Principle and a host of other concert series.