Seatavern

KUJENGA IS A BLACK IMPROVISED MUSIC OUTFIT BASED IN CAPE TOWN. THE BAND’S NAME COMES FROM THE SWAHILI LANGUAGE, WITH THE WORD MEANING “TO BUILD.” THE TITLE SYMBOLISES THE GROUP’S BELIEF IN THEIR CALLING AS CREATORS: TO BUILD MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES AND CONNECTIONS WITH EVERY LISTENER. KUJENGA’S ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDE BEING NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR WINNERS AT THE MZANTSI JAZZ AWARDS 2024, AN APPEARANCE ON MAIL & GUARDIAN’S TOP 200 YOUNG SOUTH AFRICANS 2024, AND A SAMA AWARD NOMINATION FOR BEST JAZZ ALBUM. THEY’VE HEADLINED FESTIVALS SUCH AS CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL, STANDARD BANK JOY OF JAZZ AND MORE. THE BAND RELEASED THEIR DEBUT ALBUM NATIONALITY IN 2019, AND FOLLOWED IT WITH THEIR SOPHOMORE OFFERING IN THE WAKE IN MARCH 2024. KUJENGA’S MUSICAL WORKS ARE BROUGHT TO LIFE IN THEIR LIVE SHOWS, CREATING A NEW ENERGY FOR EVERY SPACE THEY PERFORM, INVITING THEIR AUDIENCE ON A JOURNEY TO THE BAND’S COLLECTIVE MIND. SUCH MOMENTS ARE CONSIDERED HIGHLIGHTS BY THEIR FANS, CRITICS, AND LOVERS OF THE ARTS. THEIR COMBINATION OF THOUGHT PROVOKING SOUNDS IN THEIR MUSIC AND INTENSE AND ELECTRIC ATMOSPHERE IN THEIR PERFORMANCES HAVE TAKEN THEM ACROSS MULTIPLE STAGES IN THE COUNTRY, AND AS FAR AS LONDON AND MARGATE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM IN 2024, AND ARE SET TO COVER MORE SPACES.