Celebrate South African jazz with Melvin Peters

Jazz maestro Melvin Peters will light up Hue Café in Windermere with his soulful jazz music this Saturday May 24.

Peters, a celebrated jazz pianist, will be hosted by the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), in association with the Centre for Creative Arts and South African Association for Jazz Education (SAJE).

This concert marks the culminating moment of the 2025 Who’s Got The Map? series: a jazz initiative inspired by the questioning spirit of South African jazz legend Andile Yenana, in the year that his seminal album of the same name celebrates its 20th anniversary. This concert takes place just one day ahead of Africa Day and Peters’ set is a homage to the towering figures of South African jazz whose music has shaped cultural identity and resistance.

“The performance will be a tribute to South African jazz music, its icons and the music they contributed,” said Peters. “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.”

Joining Peters on stage will be his band, consisting of Dr Jeff Robinson on saxophone and flute, Bongani Sokhela on bass guitar, and Bruce Baker on drums.

Peters was born in Overport. He began his musical journey with classical piano lessons at the age of six. He pursued a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Natal, where he commenced jazz piano studies under the tutelage of Darius Brubeck in 1983. Peters furthered his education with a Master of Music in Jazz Performance and later attended Harvard University, where he explored diverse musical disciplines.

Throughout his illustrious career, Peters has performed internationally, including tours in the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom. Notably, he was a member of the Jazzanians, a student band that toured USA and recorded the album We Have Waited Too Long.

Peters has collaborated with renowned artists such as Winston Mankunku Ngozi and Thandi Klaasen among others. He has been instrumental in jazz education, having lectured at then University of Durban-Westville (UDW now UKZN).

Catch Peters at Hue Café, Durban, 24 Campbell Avenue, Windermere, Berea on Saturday May 24, at 2.30pm. Tickets are available via Webtickets

This event is presented with the support of the KwaZulu-Natal Performing Arts Trust (KZNPAT), reinforcing a shared commitment to preserving and celebrating South Africa’s jazz legacy.