UKZN Staffer’s Band Performs at Essence Festival in New Orleans

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An all-women jazz band led by UKZN School of Arts staff member Ms Thulile Zama performed at the Essence Festival in New Orleans in the United States recently.

The band, Heels over Head, was invited to play at the high profile show by eThekwini Municipality, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture, and the Essence Festival organisers.

The Essence Festival, known as “the party with a purpose”, is an annual music festival which started in 1995 as a one-time event to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Essence, a magazine aimed primarily at African-American women. It is the largest event in the United States celebrating African-American culture and music.

The band performed alongside music greats such as John Legend, Diana Ross, Solange and Mary J. Blige, showcasing their blend of African influenced, easy-breezy, pop jazz.

Apart from Zama, the band comprises drummer Rebekah Pillay, pianist Lindi Ngonelo, bassist Tebogo Sedumedi and guitarist Chillie Stent.

‘It was a huge honour to be selected for a performance at the Festival,’ said Zama. ‘We have worked for many years to create such opportunities and not only was the performance itself a great experience, but being in such a lively musical city and being a guest at a prestigious event like Essence, was enriching and humbling.’

Said Pillay: ‘We aim to be an example to other female musicians, showing that anything is possible. It was a new challenge to perform for a different audience from what we are used to. The trip was great motivation to keep the band going and our creativity also got a boost. Hopefully, this will lead to the recording of our long awaited third album.’

The love of jazz music brought the band together in 2008. Since then they have been into the studio to record their original compositions and have also played live all over KwaZulu-Natal and in the rest of the country.

Words by: Melissa Mungroo