ABOUT
Bazwaana, Live at Sankayi
Saturday, 14 November 2026 | Sankayi Jazz Series, Sandton, Johannesburg
After 21 years apart, Adam Howard, Bez Roberts and Jimmy Mngwandi reunite as Bazwaana for a special performance at the Sankayi Jazz Series. Bringing together three of South Africa’s most accomplished and in-demand musicians, this intimate evening marks the beginning of a new chapter for a group whose distinctive sound continues to hold a special place in South African music.
Formed in 2005, Bazwaana emerged from the creative forces behind some of Kalawa Jazmee’s defining hits. Their debut album, Newtown Breeze, earned a SAMA nomination and took the group to major stages, including the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. Now, more than two decades later, they return to the stage where a new journey begins.
About Bazwaana
Bazwaana brings together Adam Howard, Bez Roberts and Jimmy Mngwandi, three musicians whose individual careers have helped shape the sound of South African music across genres and generations.
Following the release of Newtown Breeze, the group developed a distinctive musical identity, blending jazz, deep house, orchestral arrangements and driving African rhythms. Their sound brought together the spontaneity of jazz improvisation, the pulse of dance music and the richness of African musical traditions, establishing Bazwaana as a unique presence in the local music landscape.
In the years since the group's initial run, its members have continued to build impressive careers, working with artists spanning South Africa's musical spectrum, including Brenda Fassie, Hugh Masekela, Mafikizolo, Freshlyground and Kabza De Small. Jimmy Mngwandi has also established a career in New York, further extending the group's collective musical experience across international stages.
Although Bazwaana stepped away from performing together, their music left a lasting impression on listeners who continued to hope for their return.
That return is now taking shape. What began with an invitation from Sankayi to perform has grown into renewed rehearsals, creative conversations and plans to revisit the group's earlier catalogue while developing new original music. With collaborations involving Kabelo Mabalane and Oskido among the projects in the pipeline, this reunion signals more than a return to the stage: it marks the beginning of a renewed creative journey for Bazwaana.
The Sankayi Experience
Some musical reunions deserve to be experienced up close.
At Sankayi, Bazwaana will bring together 21 years of individual experience, musical exploration and artistic growth in an intimate setting designed to put the music first. Audiences can expect a distinctive meeting of jazz, deep house, orchestral textures and African rhythm, driven by the chemistry of three musicians reconnecting through the music they created together.
This performance also carries significance beyond the evening itself. The show will be filmed as part of a documentary exploring the group's story, capturing the beginning of their return and the next phase of their musical journey.
The Sankayi performance marks the first step in a wider relaunch that will include re-recorded versions of Bazwaana's earlier material, new original compositions and a forthcoming album project.
Twenty-one years ago, Bazwaana set a breeze moving in Newtown. Now, they return with renewed purpose, ready to discover what comes next.
Join us for a rare opportunity to experience Bazwaana's reunion in the intimacy of the Sankayi Jazz Series.
Event Details
Saturday, 14 November 2026
Doors Open 18:00
Music Starts 20:00
Tickets: R400
Sankayi Jazz Room, Morningside, Johannesburg
Guests are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy dinner and drinks and allow enough time for orders to be served before the music begins.
Sankayi is a listening space. We ask guests to respect the musicians and fellow audience members by keeping conversation and noise to a minimum during performances.
Seating Information
We're continuing to refine our seating arrangements and appreciate your patience. We know selecting seats around a table can sometimes be tricky, and we're happy to be flexible and move tables where possible to help guests sit together.
If you need assistance with your booking or seating, please contact us on +27 50 053 3133, and we'll be happy to help.
We look forward to welcoming you to Sankayi for this special reunion as Bazwaana begin their next chapter.
Curated by Alex Productions in partnership with Sankayi Jazz Room.