News

Hi everybody.

We are reaching the end of yet another year – and December is often a time to look back at the months that flew by, and forward to what’s lying ahead.

2024 has been an intense year for me, but also a very rewarding one: we finally succeeded in making a 10-year old dream come true and release the first volume of the Wrapped In Rhythm-project, with new music based on the poetry of my phenomenal South African sister Lebo Mashile. The release tour was big fun with a few highlights in Bimhuis, Amsterdam, a sold-out Ronnie Scott’s in London, and a big crowd in De Roma in my hometown Antwerp in Belgium.

Wrapped In Rhythm, Volume 1 received three South African Jazz Awards in August, and I was very honoured and proud to be able to present the music with my European working band at home in South Africa at the Joy Of Jazz Festival in Johannesburg at the end of September.

My 2024 ended with an invitation from Flemish pop star Bart Peeters to join him as a special guest for his concert series in the Antwerp Lotto Arena. Singing in front of 7000 people per show for 10 sold-out nights was a real thrill.

2025 is starting out with some theatre work for me, with a few weeks in Sweden with ‘Dear Winnie’, the celebrated dance theatre production of KVS (Brussels).

And after that, I am incredibly excited for the release of Wrapped In Rhythm, Volume 2 – which is a big orchestral sequel with more repertoire based on Lebo’s beautiful poetry, in coöperation with the Dutch Metropole Orkest directed by Jacomo Bairos, and with arrangements by Belgian trumpeter/composer/arranger Bert Joris. We are currently booking some shows to present that new album – more news coming soon.

I would like to wish you all a nice end of this year, a lovely festive season with some well-deserved time off with your family and/or loved ones, and only good things for the upcoming new year.Looking forward to meeting you somewhere soon,

Peace, light & love,

Tutu Puoane.

Another addition to our extended booking roster: VERBIST/BAARS/LAGATIE. This piano trio uses their combined last names to emphasize they operate more as a collective than as a pianist with a rhythm section. They make no-nonsense music with a lot of well-informed inspiration from the American origins of the jazz tradition.

Pianist Milan Verbist was one of Klara’s De Twintigers in 2022, and together with Tristan Baars (bass) and Arne Lagatie (drums) he plays a repertoire of own compositions, with captivating and swinging interplay and references to various jazz piano greats such as McCoy Tyner, Bill Evans, Barry Harris or Keith Jarrett.

For more info, visit the artists/bands/projects page.

More booking roster news to come.

xSFR

Last night in Soweto, Johannesburg, Tutu Puoane and her album Wrapped In Rhythm, Vol. I won 3 South African Jazz Awards. 

1. Best Contemporary Jazz Album
2. Best International Jazz Album
3. Best Female Jazz Artist

We are very happy with and proud of this recognition of her people in her home country. Big thanks to the jury and to the organisation for specifically dedicating the attention to music that doesn’t always have the eye of the world. It means a lot and it makes a difference. 

The Wrapped In Rhythm-journey continues.  Volume II of the project is scheduled to be released in June 2025, and is an orchestral coöperation with Metropole Orkest, directed by Jacomo Bairos and arranged by Bert Joris. More news about this 2nd part will follow in due time!

Thanks to all of you who support Tutu and her music in one way or another!

xSFR