World peace Ensemble

The World Peace Ensemble is a captivating musical force, uniting the distinct virtuosity of Mike Bester (guitar), Kevin Gibson (drums), Blake Hellaby (keys), Schalk

Joubert (bass) and Gavin Minter (various instruments). Their brilliantly coined name originated in a moment of inspired mishearing, when Minter mistakenly caught "world peace" instead of Gibson's "worldbeat ensemble”, a fitting title for a group whose music is both globally informed and profoundly harmonious.

Fri 20 Feb

Tickets R260

18h30 for 19h00 (kitchen orders close at 19h00)

Live Music Starts when Dinner Service is completed

Dinner, Dessert and Drinks available

Fully Licensed, BYOB not permitted

Card / Cash Payment

15% Service Fee Charged

More on the Band:

Together, they create a dynamic tapestry of sound, seamlessly weaving worldbeat rhythms, sophisticated jazz harmonies, and rich African influences into original compositions. Each piece serves as a showcase for their formidable individual artistry and deep collaborative spirit, balancing serious musicianship with irresistible, danceable grooves. The result is a powerful and exhilarating blend where their unique musical personalities converge not in conflict, but in celebration, delivering performances that are as intellectually engaging as they are viscerally thrilling.

The Members:

Kevin Gibson is a highly respected and versatile South African drummer based in Cape Town, with a career spanning over four decades. He is one of the original members of the Jazzanians, a notable South African jazz group. Gibson has toured internationally with prominent artists such as Johnny Clegg and Zim Ngqawana, The Strawbs, Crash test Dummies and he has recorded with Dutch musician Stef Bos.

Blake Hellaby is a versatile multi-instrumentalist, composer, pianist, producer, and educator based in Cape Town, South Africa, known for his work across jazz, funk, soul, hip-hop, and commercial music scenes. He aims to bring joy through music and has been active professionally since 2009. Hellaby has collaborated with prominent South African musicians, including Mandisi Dyantyis, McCoy Mrubata, Ian Smith, John Hassan, Frank Paco, Buddy Wells, Vicky Sampson, Mark Fransman, Dan Shout, Loukmaan Adams, Kevin Gibson, Schalk Joubert (in trios and live settings), Muneeb Hermans (quartet), Zeke le Grange (duets and covers), Lea Venga (covers), Jesse Julies, Mila Paco, Ivan Mazuze, and composer Justin Bellairs.

Michael (Mike) Bester is a prominent South African guitarist, composer, songwriter, producer, and musical director known for his work in jazz, contemporary music,

film soundtracks, and session playing across various genres. He blends influences from jazz, rock, folk, and world music in his compositions and performances. He completed a Master's Degree in Contemporary Music Performance and Production at Berklee College of Music in Valencia. His international experiences include traveling the world for two years, working as a session guitarist in London, studying jazz guitar in New York City, and performing in cities across the US, UK, Shanghai, and South Africa. Bester's career spans live performances, studio work, and education. He is a member of the iconic South African band Mango Groove and has served as a session guitarist for major festivals and television shows, including 'Noot vir Noot', 'SA Idols', 'Strictly Come Dancing', and 'Clash of the Choirs'.

Gavin Minter is a multifaceted South African musician, singer, saxophonist, percussionist, songwriter, composer, producer, promoter, and artist manager/agent with a career spanning over four decades in jazz, funk, rock, soul, and world music. he recorded and toured with Wendy Oldfield, moved to Cape Town, and formed Wired to the Floor in 1991 with Kevin Gibson, Paul Hanmer, and James Scholfield, releasing "Art and the Dollar" and founding Real Wired Music publishing. The band backed Marc/Alex, with Minter as musical director, and toured extensively, including opening for Paul Simon's "Born at the Right Time" tour and performing in Swaziland with Eric Clapton, Joan Armatrading, and Jonathan Butler. Collaborations span Johnny Fourie, Cape Town Jazz Orchestra, Stockholm Jazz Orchestra (multiple tours, including 2009, 2012), Cape Heritage Big Band, Prime Circle, Judith Sephuma, Winston Mankunku, Errol Dyers, Ard Matthews, Mandisi Dyantyis, Robbie Jansen, Marcus Wyatt, Strait and Narro, Tina Schouw, Steve Newman, Robin Auld, Louise Carver, Arno Carstens, Albert Frost, Gloria Bosman, Dan Patlansky, Nibs Van Der Spuy, Moreira Chonguica, Amanda Tiffin, Melanie Scholtz, Sibongile Mngoma, Jeremy Loops, and many others.

Schalk Joubert is a multi-award-winning South African bassist, composer, producer, arranger, and musical director with over 25 years of professional experience in the music industry. He specializes in blending South African traditional music, jazz, rock, pop, world, fusion, R&B/soul, folk, and singer-songwriter styles, often

emphasizing cultural heritage and improvisation. Based in Stellenbosch near Cape Town, he is known for his versatile bass playing across electric, acoustic, and

double bass, as well as skills on piano, synthesizers, guitars, drums, and various percussion instruments like tabla, udu, and caxixi. His discography includes the solo album Kayamandi (2009, originally released 2007 by Mountain Records), with tracks like the title song. He has played on hundreds of records as a session bassist. Collaborations form a cornerstone of his work, having toured and recorded with artists such as Hugh Masekela, David Kramer, Anton Goosen, Zolani Mahola Freshlyground), Jack Parow, Robin Auld, Louis Mhlanga, Strawbs, Crash Test Dummies, Michelle Shocked, Valiant Swart, Koos Kombuis, Gert Vlok Nel, Sima Mashazi

(long-term partner for over a decade), Albert Frost, Mauritz Lotz, Laurinda Hofmeyr, Kevin Gibson, Nick Turner, Ronan Skillen, Luna Paige and Sons Of Trout. He leads or features in bands like the Three Continents Sextet (a 7-piece with brass emphasis, blending jazz, world, and rock), Ancient Agents (with Ronan Skillen, articulating South African melodies), and the Schalk Joubert Trio (often with Blake Hellaby on keys and Jonno Sweetman on drums). International projects via Beyond Music include "Water" (with German, Israeli, South African artists), "Don't Hate Me" (Cameroon, Peru, South Africa), "QUÊTE" (Cameroon, South Africa), and "Lany Vatsy" (India, Madagascar, Mali, South Africa).