Reinventing global sounds, rewriting the rulebook - winners of the Royal Over-Seas League Competition 2017, Kabantu (previously named Project Jam Sandwich), meaning "of the people", is a five-piece hailing from Manchester who unravel new marriages of music from around the globe to celebrate the space where different cultures meet.
The ensemble was formed in 2014 at the Royal Northern College of Music. Combining the virtuosity of classical training with the opportunity to explore music from around the world, Kabantu musically reflect their interest in global cultures, arrangement and improvisation. The instrumentation comprises violin (Katie Foster), cello (Abel Selaocoe), guitar (Ben Sayah), double bass (Ali McMath) and percussion (Delia Stevens).
Vocal harmonies from South Africa coalesce with everything from Celtic reels and Brazilian samba to Balkan folk music and beyond. Kabantu use music to bridge countries and cultures, creating an exuberant and joyful sound.
Performance highlights so far include performing at the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, live sessions for BBC Free Thinking Festival at The Sage Gateshead, BBC Radio 3 In Tune, World on 3 and an array of prestigious festivals and venues across the UK including The Bridgewater Hall (winners of the Manchester Midday Music Society Series), Snape Maltings (Aldeburgh), Spitalfields Festival, Ulverston, Oundle and Fishguard International Music Festivals, Celtic Connections and Cambridge Folk Festival.
Kabantu also initiate their own workshops to inspire young musicians and reach out to communities. They have run projects at Aldeburgh Music, Brighter Sound (Band on the Wall, Manchester) and Bridgewater Hall. Kabantu are also part of Yehudi Menuhin’s nationwide initiative Live Music Now, playing to those unable to access music in more conventional settings.
As well as winning the Royal Over-Seas League Ensemble Award, subsequently performing to royalty at the Cadogan Hall, the quintet is delighted to be Selected Making Music 2016-17 and BBC Introducing Artists; they are also being mentored by the Young Concert Artists Trust (YCAT) and are grateful to have received an award from the Hattori Foundation.
Kabantu have just recorded their debut album with Mercury-nominated producer Gerry Diver and very much look forward to releasing it alongside a UK-wide launch tour in February 2018