Jazz at The Villa - Ayanda Sikade Quartet - Mark Fransman Homage Trio - DJ Charles Leonard

As we progress into 2024, we bring you a magnificent jazz line up in the delicious and intimate setting of Villa Simonne Boutique Hotel in Houghton, Johannesburg.

With the experienced Jazz DJ Charles Leonard opening the afternoon with a torrid set of SA jazz, the day is set and the plateform is ready to welcome multi instrumentalist of note, educator and composer Mark Fransman to our stage. He joins us with his Homage Trio featuring Siphiwe Shiburi on drums and Benjamin Jeptha on double bass.

After another DJ set by Charles Leonard, we feature one of the most spectacular drummer of the SA jazz scene and a fantastic composer and band leader, originally from Msantsane in the Eastern Cape, Ayanda Sikade. He will lead his quartet featuring Sisonke Xonti on saxophones, Afrika Mkhize on keys, Nhlanhla Radebe on double bass. Expect lots of amazing music and an afternoon filled with peaceful beauty.

DJ Charles Leonard will close the afternoon / evening with another set of great sounds from the vinyl turn tables. Amazing and original photographic documents by Siphiwe Mhlambi will be exhibited at The Villa throughout the afternoon.

This very special afternoon of SA Jazz is brought to you by Pegs Music Project and Artful Expressions, in association with Villa Simonne Boutique Hotel.

Program of the day

14h00 - Doors open

14h15 - DJ Charles Leonard 1st Set

15h00 - Mark Fransman Homage Trio Set

16h30 - DJ Charles Leonard 2nd Set

17h15 - Ayanda Sikade Quartet set

18h45 - DJ Charles Leonard 3rd Set

Bands Line Ups.

Mark Fransman - keys, saxophone

Benjamin Jephta - double bass

Siphiwe Shiburi - drums

The Mark Fransman ‘Homage Trio' celebrates some of South Africa’s most iconic jazz musicians and seeks to spotlight them as national treasures. The quartet pays homage to such greats as Zim Ngqawana, Winston Mankunku, Hotep Galeta, Sibongile Khumalo, Errol Dyers, Robbie Jansen, Bheki Mseleku to mention but a few. Each ‘tribute’ comes in the form of an original composition (or suite), composed by Fransman. These songs are inspired by the musicality and personality specific to each of these treasured musicians. The compositions reflects on Fransman’s personal & professional relationships with each dedicated, some of whom have mentored Mark in his formative years.

Ayanda Sikade - drums

Sisonle Xonti - saxes

Afrika Mkhize - keys

Nhlanhla Radebe - double bass

Food and drinks are available at The Villa throughout the day.

Parking on 2, 3rd Avenue, Corner West St, Houghton Estate