Based: Cape Town

Born and raised in Port Elizabeth, Nomfundo is a 2 x Metro FM Music Award winner who began her musical training at the age of 12 with classical piano. She holds a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies (Voice & Dissertation) from UCT in 2009, where she graduated Cum Laude (with Distinction). For her Master’s Degree she wrote a dissertation on the music of Mama Africa titled The Analysis of the Musical Style of Miriam Makeba.

Both a performer and educator, Nomfundo was invited as an artist in residence at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music where she also performed in a concert commemorating the role of music in the Apartheid struggle. She has also attended the Norsk Jazz Forum in Norway to partake in a summer school. As an educator, she headed the Vocal Department at the prestigious Cape Academy of Performing Arts for 5 years ending in 2015. She has also taught vocals at the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Festival and is often invited as an external examiner at UCT’s College of Music for Jazz Singing recitals. Nomfundo serves on the board of the Samro Foundation whose interest is vested in the development and funding of arts education as well as nurturing the vibrant music scene in South Africa.

As a performer, Nomfundo cites opening for her icon Miss Diane Reeves in 2011 a major highlight among many.  She made her debut performances at the Std Bank Joy of Jazz Festival in 2016 as well as at the Joburg Arts Alive Festival in 2015. Her discography includes her 2x Metro FM Music Award winning albums Kusile and From.Now.On (Best Urban Jazz) released under Universal Music in 2013 and 2015 respectively. Other awards include; Wawela Music Award for Best Female Artist/Composer 2015; Arts and Culture Trust impact Award for Music & Singing 2014. She has been nominated for; Mbokodo Awards for Women in Jazz 2015; South African Afro Music Award for Best Jazz Album.