Artist Bio:
An exciting new talent, Kwani Experience is an eight-piece band hailing from the inner city of Johannesburg.
A diverse and groundbreaking outfit, their sound is as hip as their name, which is from the Zulu o kwa Ini meaning "Of what?" They create a unique fusion of jazz, soul, funk, hip-hop, and traditional and modern African flavors with some experimental touches. Indefinable, they do something quite unique in this country, whilst keeping the music real and accessible.
Winners of the Standard Bank/Kaya FM 95.9 "Totally Jazzed" showcase, the band sees its first CD release after two years of live performances around the nation. On winning the competition the group hosted a gig at the Horror Cafe in Newtown that saw attendance of over 700 people!
A young group with a rich texture and tapestry of sound, interest from all media formats, as well as promoters, has been massive, and we've had to hold in the reigns to keep the stories from appearing before the product does!
The KWANI EXPERIENCE educates, elevates and entertains both young and the old The main genres identifiable in the music are: African folk, contemporary African, hip-hop, soul, jazz, experimental jazz (drum & bass) and funk. "The motherland funk is something that you've heard before, what you are still to hear, somehow familiar but yet like nothing that you've heard in these times."
The members have in their individual capacities performed, partaken and "paid dues" in the "underground" of the music biz as well as established and well developed theatre and musical productions. The band was formed in January 2004 and has since performed at a number of venues in and around Johannesburg and Durban to resounding responses and reviews.
On stage, Kwani Experience is both visually and musically interactive, blending rehearsed, spontaneous and improvised impromptu acts. Artistic self-expression is not a thing limited to performances or the rehearsal room with Kwani; it's a daily experience. The technical feedback that has been experienced by the band on stage is no less than the feedback they've gotten from the audience: awesome and overwhelming!
Currently the band is signed under Sheer Sound, a result of the 2004 Totally Jazzed Showcase, a contest partnered by Sheer Sound, Kaya FM 95.9 and Standard Bank. The collective were the ultimate winners, selected for their innovation, fresh ideas and concepts. Some members are involved in projects with M.E.L.T. 2000.
The IEC has expressed great interest in the group, a pilot song has been produced and looks set to see the group becoming both the voice and faces of the upcoming municipal elections with TV, radio and live exposure guaranteed. No political alignment – merely telling the youth to be conscious and make their mark on the day to secure their futures.
— Courtesy Calabash Music
