NOMFI XALUVA

Nomfi Xaluva graduated her Masters Degree in Jazz Performance with distinction specialising in the life and music of Miriam Makeba and has since become one of the foremost experts on Miriam’s music. She is a sparkly performer who shifts effortlessly between her repertoire of traditional South African Jazz Standards and Standard Jazz repertoire by the likes of Ella Fitzgerland, Sarah Vaughn and Nina Simone.

dan@shoutmc.com SHOUT MUSIC COMPANY mary@shoutmc.com

TRACEY APPOLIS - QUINTESSENTIAL

Tracey Appolis runs a culturally diverse group of musicians that are committed to providing a high standard of music excellence, coupled with exceptional professionalism, class and distinction. The repertoire is a mixed masala of music for every occasion and audience. Styles range from medium tempo swing to lush ballads and even as far as contemporary, fusion, popular and afro-centric music from well known local and international artists!

VELVET TRIO

VELVET comprises Mike Laatz on saxes, Eddie Kirkwood on Keyboard and Trish Bailey on bass guitar. This Trio has a large repertoire of popular smooth jazz swing instrumentals guaranteed to give your function that touch of quiet class!

Velvet is perfect for functions on Wine Farms or celebrations in private homes such as anniversaries, weddings and birthday parties. For larger functions the band can be supplemented with a jazz singer and drummer for you to dance the night away!

JAZZ ARTISTS

DAN SHOUT

Dan Shout is a freelance saxophonist based in Cape Town. Dan regularly performs with his Jazz band, as well as in duo and trio formats in and around Cape Town covering original material, Jazz Standards and works by modern saxophonists such as Michael Brecker and Joshua Redman for festivals, corporate functions, weddings or club dates.

Dan has held the position of soprano/alto saxophonist and keyboard player in the Johnny Clegg Band since 2006 and has performed abroad in Europe, Scandinavia, North America, North Africa, the Middle East, Seychelles and the French West Indies.

For more information visit

www.myspace.com/danshoutactivity

LISA BAUER

Lisa Bauer, originally from Gauteng, graduated from the South African College of Music at UCT in 2004 with a degree in Jazz Performance in vocals and drum kit (with a distinction in singing).

Lisa started singing harmonies to her father’s LP’s of Classical Music, Musicals and Jazz at age 4 and has never looked back! She has performed, recorded collaborated on project with artists such as The Glen Miller Orchestra South Africa, Mamavox, Souled (with Melanie Scholtz and Mimi Ntenjwa) and Nic Le Roux amongst others. She currently works with groups such as The Baobab Three, LMR Trio (with Maxim Starcke & Ronan Skillen), electro-lounge group Nightlife Conspiracy and a Jazz quintet that performed at the Silvertree Restaurant Winter Concert Series in 2008.

HAYDN GARDNER

With his dynamic voice and impeccable song repertoire, this suave, singing sensation performs lounge-style Swing, Jazz, Rhythm & Blues, Soul and Pop music. As a young, modern song stylist, Haydn brings the music of yesteryear to life and rekindles memorable eras of song, invoking flair and sensitivity to the melodies and lyrics that make these timeless songs so popular. From super cool and swinging to melodious ballads, as well as seductive Latin rhythms and dance floor classics, this young seasoned vocalist covers a broad spectrum of musical genres to suit clients varied tastes and is South Africa's favourite to bring panache and superb entertainment to any event.

By invitation, Haydn has performed at many exclusive corporate events hosted by the event and banqueting arms of clients such as Standard Bank, Pam Golding and at prestigious venues such as The Baxter, Artscape, Kirstenbosch, The Arabella Sheraton Hotel, Table Bay Hotel, Fancourt and Simola Golf Resorts, amongst others. Haydn is equally in demand for weddings and other private functions and is established as a firm favourite for all events and occasions.

MELANIE SCHOLTZ

In 2002, Melanie won “Best Jazz Vocalist” in the Old Mutual Jazz Encounters and in 2006 released her debut album entitled “Zillion Miles”. Her voice has not only won her awards and competitions, it has also won her favour and acclaim singing the South African National anthem at the President’s Cup Golf tournament in 2003 to former South African president Nelson Mandela and the world. She has been invited to perform in Spain, Portugal, Holland, Morocco, Norway, Sweden and Austria and collaborates with numerous artists both nationally and internationally.

It has been said about Melanie Scholtz’s music that it is like a ‘best friend’ and listeners are always inspired by her musical honesty.

Melanie Scholtz is the Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz for 2010.

Melanie has performed with the who's who of the South African jazz scene, as well as acclaimed international musicians such as Norwegian Band “Inkala”, Belgian jazz pianist Jack van Poll, Al Jarreau and Joe Mcbride. She lectured in jazz vocal studies at the University of Cape Town from 2004-2005 and has been involved in Artscape’s Youth Jazz development projects since 2006. Melanie is also an accomplished composer/lyricist/writer and director and in February 2009 recorded her second album with Norwegian trumpeter and producer, Ole Jorn Myklebust.

A highlight for Lisa in 2007 was being a finalist in the prestigious SAMRO Jazz Singing Overseas Scholarship Competition. She then traveled to New York and San Francisco to have lessons in Jazz Vocals with the legendary Kitty Margolis and Dr. Gloria Cooper in July 2008. Lisa recently released her new album, Finding a New Way which was said by Eric Alan, to be “one of the best vocal jazz albums to come out of SA in the last 10 years”.