Based: Cape Town

The Great Gatsbys are a vintage swing jazz performance ensemble from Cape Town, South Africa. The group uses live instruments in combination with electronic music equipment to create, perform and release an uplifting fusion of old and new styles of jazz along with a uniquely feel-good and nostalgically themed live show.

The band performs traditional jazz songs such as ‘King of the Swingers’, ‘Hello Dolly’, ‘It Don’t Mean A Thing’. Other notable pop songwriting influences include Paul McCartney, Norah Jones and Burt Bacharach. The Great Gatsbys’ repertoire of electro-jazz and world music sounds is delivered with a distinctively original approach towards the fusion of electronic and vintage jazz music.

In 2016, the ensemble grew to include trumpeter Muneeb Hermans, who has performed in Carnegie Hall in New York City, alongside frequent tour stops in France, the UK, the Seychelles, Spain and China. Included in the lineup is the indispensable trombonist and clarinettist Gareth Harvey, who has performed with The Johnny Cooper Orchestra, Crimson House and McCoy Mrubata and at the National Arts and Joy of Jazz Festivals with his own band SAXIT!. Producer-DJ Django Flaherty joined in 2016, with accolades including performances and residencies at Rezonance Festival, Mutha FM, Catacombs and Polana.

The band (also known as PRAVDA) is a truly talented collection of musicians joined at the hip by a rich love for vintage jazz music delivered with originality, flair and a passion for groove. Stay tuned for updates relating to performances and releases of their trademark ‘future jazz’ sound.