KWANI EXPERIENCE

Based in Johannesburg

An exciting new talent, KWANI EXPERIENCE is an 8-piece band hailing from the inner city of Johannesburg – fit for the ‘Jozi Band’ title.

A diverse and groundbreaking outfit, their sound, the MUDALAND FUNK is similarly hip like their name [from the ZULU (“kwa Ini” meaning “of what?)” They create a unique fusion of Jazz, Soul, Funk, Hip-Hop-Poetry and modern-urban Traditional African flavors with some experimental touches. Indefinable, they do something quite unique in this country, whilst keeping the music real and accessible.

Winners of the STANDARD BANK/ KAYA fm 95.9/SHEER SOUND “Totally Jazzed” showcase in late 2004, selected for their innovation, fresh ideas and concepts. The band saw its first CD release titled The Birth of the Mudaland Funk [June 2005] after two years of live performances around the nation from big Festivals such as Oppikoppi, the Baaba Maal S.A Tour, Live Thematic Productions and Corporate shows. On winning the competition the group hosted a gig at the HORROR CAFÉ in Newtown that saw attendance of over 700 people!

A young group with a rich texture and tapestry of sound, interest from all media formats, as well as promoters, has been MASSIVE and Sheer Sounds [Recording Company] has had to hold in the reigns to keep the stories from appearing and publicity before the album release. The KWANI EXPERIENCE educates, elevates and entertains both young and the old. The main genres identifiable in the music are: African Folk, Contemporary African, Hip-Hop, Soul, Jazz, Experimental Jazz (Drum & Bass) and Funk…and sometimes House.

“The Mudaland [Motherland] Funk is something that you’ve heard before, what you are still to hear, somehow familiar but yet like nothing that you’ve heard in these times”, articulate the members of KWANI EXPERIENCE

The members have in their individual capacities performed, partaken and “paid dues” in the ‘underground’ of the music bizz as well as established and well-developed theatre and musical productions and promotional/Ad campaigns. The band was formed in January 2004 and has since then performed at a number of venues in and around Johannesburg , Pretoria , Grahamstown , Swaziland and Durban to resounding responses and reviews. On stage, KWANI EXPERIENCE is both visually and musically interactive, blending rehearsed, spontaneous and improvised impromptu acts. Artistic self-expression is not a thing limited to performances or the rehearsal room with KWANI; it’s a daily EXPERIENCE – they live it. The technical feedback that has been experienced by the band on stage is no greater than the feedback they’ve gotten from the audience, awesome and overwhelming!

The band has had thumbs-up and a go-ahead into the future by peer, legendary and veteran musicians, radio personalities and record execs. Among them: Tu Nokwe, Selaelo Selota, Tshepo Tshola, Bheki Mseleku, Vusi Khumalo, Concord Nkabinde, Bruce Sebitlo & Guffy [Kalawa Jazmee], Thabo Mashishi, Sanza [Harambe- Y FM], Pat Cash [Kaya FM] & Bob Mabena, Mandla Mlotswa [Music lecturer- Natal Technikon] and Robert Trunz [M.E.L.T. 2000 Record Label] Biological parents and a multi-cultural/racial audience are included in the list of the many formal/informal endorsers.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Playtime Festival [French Institute of South Africa ] – Newtown & Soweto .
• Standard Bank Jazz on the Square [ Mary Fitzgerald Square – Newtown ]
• Lefifi Tladi [Veteran poet & Fine artist] documentary shoot [Horror Café, Newtown ].
• Opening - Black Souls Exhibition as the first band ever in history to perform at the Johannesburg Art Gallery .

2005 HIGHLIGHTS: