cuecumber jazz

Based in Cape Town

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Hailing from the foot of Table Mountain, Cape Town, CueCumber Jazz is deeply rooted in the Rhythm and Harmony synonymous with Jazz. The band's repertoire moves from Swing, to Latin, to Modern Jazz and Funk, encompassing improvisation as a key factor in their music.

With a diverse group of talented musicians, CueCumber Jazz blends music styles with unmatched finesse. With Gemayel on drums, Zanelle on trumpet, Merrilou on piano, Deon on Electric Bass/Double Bass and Craig on guitars, this Jazz quintet is guaranteed to get you swinging' at your corporate/private function!

THE MEMBERS:

CRAIG VICTOR - GUITAR
Craig started to play the Guitar under the tuition and mentorship of Alan Yon at the age of 16 in 2006. Since then, he has ventured into the vast depths of music.  In 2007 Craig initiated the first ever Jazz band at Bellville Technical High School, named Legacy. Craig continues to study music and the Guitar, and aspires to experiment with different genres, art forms and artists: teaming up with Joshua Prinsloo and the gang of Green Room Collective to explore Fine Art as a genre of music. 
 
GEMAYEL KROUKAMP - DRUMS
Gemayel started his music studies at the age of 4 playing classical guitar and piano. At age 12 he discovered the drums, which he fell in love with. At the age of sixteen he played drums for stage productions such as FAME and Grease. During this period he also played for numerous Gospel bands in and around the Overberg region. During 2005 he started playing Jazz with a number of Big Bands in Cape Town, developing a new love for Jazz. Some of the Jazz performances were with the Austrian Jazz quartet Six Tension on their Cape Town tour. He also performed with various Cape Town musicians such as Jeff Weiner, Mike Laatz and Ed Kirkwood. 

ZANELLE STIPP - TRUMPET
Zanelle started having music lessons at the age of 5 and over the years tried and tested many different instruments.  She eventually found “the one” and fell in love with the trumpet.  In 1998 she pursued her studies at the South African College of Music (UCT).  While studying, she became a member of the UCT Big Band under the direction of Prof Mike Campbell, became a member of the National Youth Jazz Band in 2000 and performed at many festivals in and around Cape Town, such as the Grahamstown Jazz Festival and Joy of Jazz Festival.  She also performed with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra on many occasions. She completed her BMus and BMus Honours Degrees in trumpet performance at UCT in 2003. 

MERRILOU NEFDT – KEYBOARDS
Merrilou started playing piano when she was 6 and has pretty much been behind the keys ever since!  Classically trained, she completed the highest level from the Royal Conservatory of Music when she was 16.   Her love of playing grew as she played in for many gospel groups and has been privileged to accompany choirs and soloists and be a part of many musicals.

DEON KALLIS - BASS
Deon started the electric bass in 1994 and spent a few months at the Jazz Workshop under the tuition of Spencer Mbadu. He studied clarinet at the Battswood Arts Centre in 1997 and switched to the soprano and tenor saxophones soon after. After a few years playing tenor saxophone in the Athlone Academy of Music’s Big Band, he currently plays bass guitar for the Connelly Big Band and the Fascinationz Band.