21/09/2026
One night only.
Lumanyano “Unity” Mzi, the Cape Town-born drummer, composer and producer now based in New York, is back for a single night. SeekArt presents him at Cape Town Jazz Club on Tuesday 29 September, with The Unity Band brought together for the occasion. His debut solo album, Ithemba Elitsha, earned two South African Music Award nominations for Best Jazz Album and Best Newcomer.
https://www.hellabyhouse.com/events/lumanyano-mzi-one-night-only/
Before the band takes the stage, Lumanyano sits down with Blake Hellaby and Sean Sanby for the Open discussion: SA music abroad - studying/working/touring. The three formed a busy working trio around 2012, holding regular gigs around Cape Town and performing as a unit with artists across several genres. They will talk about studying, working and touring outside South Africa, and will also perform a few songs together along with some guests from The Unity Band.
Then The Unity Band performs. Founded by Lumanyano at UCT’s South African College of Music, the collective blends jazz, African music, hip-hop, poetry, salsa, funk and contemporary world music. Their debut album, Fabric (2019), won the Mzantsi Jazz Award for Best Newcomers in Jazz, and a second album followed in 2023. On stage: Lilavan Gangen, Lonwabo Mafani, Stephen de Souza, Dylan Fine, Thandeka Dlala and Ofentse Moshwetsi, alongside Lumanyano.
📍 Cape Town Jazz Club, Bokeh, 11 Warwick Street, Claremont
📅 Tuesday 29 September 2026
🕕 18:00 Doors open
🎙 18:30 Open discussion: SA music abroad - studying/working/touring
🎶 20:00 The Unity Band live
🎟 General admission R300
🎓 Students R150, student card required
Presented by SeekArt.
