Based: JHB

The Kopano Jazz Collective are an innovative, driven and professional band made up of Jazz musicians of a high calibre. Saxophonist and M.D Godfrey Mntambo, Bassist and M.D Angus Hardcastle, the exceptionally talented pianist Josh Mokoena and equally talented drummers Enoch Marutha and Nicholas Bjorkman. All having received a Bmus educated in jazz, they are able to play a wide array of jazz, rnb, soul, pop, hip hop and other genres. That being said, South African Jazz is their true compositional direction and passion. Their debut album Kopano (2018) is currently available on bandcamp and their next album will be released in 2023.

The Band was formed in 2018 by Godfrey Mntambo and Angus Hardcastle. They play an average of 3 nights a week in and around Johannesburg with residencies currently at: Sin+tax, Mixbar (mesh club) and Peachy bar. Corporate functions, weddings and private events are this band’s specialty. We often play with a largerensemble of between 5 and 8 musicians and can also provide one of our many exceptional vocalists including: Viwo Kulati, Tamara Dey, Lord Kez, Marsbaby and Motswedi Modiba (Moe).

Members
Godfrey Mntambo (Musical Director and Alto Saxophone)

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Godfrey Mntambo is one of the leading South African jazz saxophonists for his generation, having shared the stage with South African music legends such as Khaya Mahlangu, Herbie Tsoaeli, Afrika Mkhize, Barney Rachabane, Black Coffee, Nduduzo Makhatini and Lira. Mntambo is also one of very few players to have made

the selection for the National Youth Jazz band for two consecutive years. He has performed with his own ensembles at the Grahamstown Arts Festival, Joy of Jazz and the acclaimed Orbit Jazz club. Over the years he has developed his own sound which is a reflection of the many eclectic South African sounds which influence him. Releasing his Debut album Kopano (with Angus Hardcastle) in 2018 Godfrey is gradually shifting from being South African Jazz’s best kept secret to one of its most widely acclaimed musicians.

Angus Hardcastle (Musical Director and Bass)

Brought up in Cape Town Angus is a fiery bass player with high levels of creativity and invention both within his arrangements and playing. Having played as a gigging bassist for many years recording and performing around South Africa in bands such

as Lord Kez, Money Badoo, Marsbaby, Jelani Blackman (UK),The Liminals, Maria Mombelli and the Bellybuttons, MSMF, Viwo Kulati, Asah George, Kamogelo Matsoso, Masechaba Phakela and the Marabi Jazz club house band. Angus is now working towards becoming a well-respected musical director to he is be pursuing a master’s degree in Composition studying under acclaimed Composer/ Bassist Carlo Mombelli. Angus runs The Kopano Jazz Collective with Godfrey Mntambo, they have

been working together since 2017, this partnership between two great friends shows no sign of slowing down.

Joshua Mokoena (Piano and Keyboards)

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Josh is a creative and inventive Jazz pianist born and bred in Clarens in the Free State Province. He studied music at the University of the Witwatersrand under the tutelage of the legendary Jazz Pianist Andre Petersen. Josh has been influenced by many different pianists and musicians from South Africa and beyond moulding his unique style. These influences include Cory Henry (USA), Abdullah Ibrahim (SA) and Kyle Shepherd (SA). Josh has played and recorded with a number of artists and musical acts including Viwo Kulati, Leon Hwacha, Njabulo Kunene, Tamara Dey and the Kopano Jazz Collective to name a few. He is an exceptionally talented musician and a vital part of the collective.

Enoch Marutha (Drum Kit)

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Enoch Marutha is a music producer, composer, audio engineer and drummer from Limpopo.He has received his honours in Composition from Wits. In 2017 Enoch had the privilege of doing studio recording sessions and a live-on-stage recording project under “Ishmo Records and Productions”. He has shared the stage (as drummer) with a number of popular musicians in the gospel music space including Sbu Noah, Ntokozo Mbambo, Nqubeko Mbatha, Khaya Sibanyoni, Hle, Gospel Silinda, Puleng March, Siyanqoba Mthethwa as well as Jazz artists Vuma Levin, Black Thought Music, Joshua Mokoena and Benecia Simelane. Enoch is the founder of Gas Marutha Productions. He is also the Resident drummer at Change Bible church in Rivonia since 2018. He has a strong background in Gospel music and thus draws a

lot of influence from it together with world music, Jazz, Rhythm & blues and electronic music. Released a self-produced EP titled Genesis 5:24 in the year 2019.

 

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