24 May 2025 @ 2:30 pm – 11:00 pm
The Centre for Jazz and Popular Music at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, in collaboration with the Centre for Creative Arts and the South African Association for Jazz Education (SAJE), proudly presents a poignant musical tribute by celebrated jazz pianist Melvin Peters. This special concert takes place at Hue Café, 24 Campbell Avenue, Durban, on Friday, 24 May 2025, at 2:30PM, concluding the 2025 edition of the acclaimed Who’s Got The Map? series.
The series, inspired by the late jazz visionary Andile Yenana and his landmark 2005 album Who’s Got The Map?, celebrates two decades of jazz as a vehicle for cultural questioning, identity, and resistance. Peters’ performance honors this legacy through a curated set that reveres the music of South Africa’s most influential jazz pioneers.
“The performance will be a tribute to South African jazz music, its icons and the music they contributed. Audiences can expect interpretations of works made known through the artistry of Abdullah Ibrahim, Bheki Mseleku, and Winston Mankunku Ngozi—musicians whose soundtracks accompanied our national journey.“
says Peters
Joining Peters on stage is a stellar ensemble featuring Jeff Robinson on saxophone and flute, Bongani Sokhela on bass guitar, and Bruce Baker on drums. Together, they promise an evocative journey through the sounds that defined and documented South Africa’s past, offering both homage and reinterpretation.
Taking place on the eve of Africa Day, this concert serves as both a celebration and reflection—reinforcing jazz’s enduring role as a mirror of the nation’s cultural soul.
About Melvin Peters
A native of Overport, Durban, Melvin Peters began his musical journey at just six years old. He later pursued a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Natal, where his jazz education began under the guidance of Darius Brubeck. Peters went on to complete a Master of Music in Jazz Performance and later undertook further studies at Harvard University.
His career spans decades and continents, having performed across the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe. A former member of the iconic Jazzanians, Peters has worked alongside jazz greats such as Abdullah Ibrahim, Winston Mankunku Ngozi, and Thandi Klaasen. In addition to performing, he has made significant contributions to jazz education in South Africa, including lecturing at the University of Durban-Westville.
Presented with the support of the KwaZulu-Natal Performing Arts Trust (KZNPAT), this event affirms a collective commitment to preserving and celebrating South Africa’s rich jazz heritage. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness a living legend pay tribute to the musical giants who shaped the soundtrack of a nation.
