UKZN Jazz Department Members on X Factor

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Jazz Voice Lecturer in the School of Arts (Music), Ms Debbie Mari, is currently working with finalists in preparation for the live TV show broadcasts of X Factor South Africa, Season 1.

And two students from UKZN’s Jazz Department - Pianist Mr Lungelo Ngcobo and Bassist Mr Dalisu Ndlazi - are members of the show’s backing band!

Mari joined the X Factor Music team early in the production and is currently working with the contestants in Durban. 

‘This has been a wonderful opportunity for Durban teachers and musicians who have been asked to join the show produced by Johannesburg- based Rapid Blue Productions,’ said Mari. ‘Very often those involved in projects such as this are brought from other provinces, sometimes just because the production company has worked with them before. So this was a good scoop for Durban and UKZN!’

The celebrity judges for Season 1 are South African Musicians Oskido, Arno Carstens and Zonke.  The entire season is being shot at various locations in and around Durban.

‘It is so evident just how much talent we have in South Africa. We need any platform we can get to celebrate the talent we have and X Factor is just one opportunity,’ said Mari.

UKZN Jazz Studies students Ngcobo and Ndlazi joined other Durban musicians in the episodes that included live backing bands under the musical direction of Mr James Bassingthwaighte.  

Ngcobo, a third year Diploma in Jazz and Popular Music student, said: ‘Studying music at UKZN has enhanced my musicality and my performance to a level that allows me to be booked for a show like X Factor.’

Said Mari: ‘I’m so proud of the two students from the Jazz Studies programme who joined the band for the live shoot during “home visits”  - they did such a great job. The contestants also loved working with them. For many of the contestants, this was the first time they performed with a live band.’

* X Factor South Africa is on SABC 1 on Saturdays at 6pm.

Melissa Mungroo