Based: Cape Town

THE UCT JAZZ VOICES

The UCT Jazz Voices comprises five of the best Jazz Singing students at U.C.T. under the leadership of  well-known jazz artist, Amanda Tiffin.
As the new head of Jazz Singing at UCT, Amanda Tiffin established this small Vocal ensemble in 2010, primarily as a learning tool for students of Jazz Singing. However the ensemble far exceeded anyone’s expectations, and has quickly become a top class Jazz vocal group in the tradition of the Manhattan Transfer and the New York Voices.  They offer an exciting blend of close harmony in the old jazz tradition and youthful energy, performing a range of repertoire from timeless jazz classics, South African standards and re-imaginings of current radio hits.

The UCT Jazz voices were selected as the best UCT Jazz Ensemble in 2010, and travelled to Grahamstown to perform on the National Youth Jazz Festival. They were a huge hit, and were invited back in 2011. On hearing the ensemble in Grahamstown, Symphonic Rocks Musical Director and Conductor John Walton insisted that the group be included as backing vocalists on the hugely successful Symphonic Rocks Concert series. The ensemble impressed with their excellenece and professionalism, and were invited back for Symphonic Rocks 2012, backing 12 top SA Artists, alongside a 60-piece orchestra, in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
The group were invited to perform their own concert as part of the Jazz at the Nassau Concert in 2011, and were invited once again in 2012. They  also appeared as special guests on the annual Jazz in The Park Concert, and at St George’s Cathedral as part of the Raise the Roof Concert Series. They have gone on to wow audiences on various stages, including the Baxter Concert Hall and The Crypt Jazz Restaurant. The 2015 ensemble were Category Winners and Overall Winners in the University of Stellenbosch Ensemble Competition, winning over a field of top university classical and jazz ensembles from all over the country. They have recorded several tracks for the UCT Jazz Voices CD, which will be released in early 2016.