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Melorie Jane, Thato Tswai & Alex Mayers Jazz Trio at Café Maxx

Tickets (R50) includes a welcome drink.

The Melorie Jane and Alex Mayers jazz duo showcases a curious combination of invention and tradition. The two musicians complement each other, with a conversation of music, each having an equal influence and voice in the band. For this collaboration, the musicians playfully delve into the intricacies of the genre.

Alex achieved his BMus in Jazz on the Electric bass through UCT and has since been performing with jazz and contemporary outfits around the Western Cape since his graduation. Melorie achieved her BMus in Jazz Performance on the Piano at University of Pretoria and is currently working on her Master's in piano at Stellenbosch University whilst making a name for herself as a pianist, singer and songwriter. The duo will be exploring various collections of well known jazz repertoire over the course of their three upcoming performances at Café Maxx.

6th November: Post-1980's Jazz (feat. Thato Tswai on drums)

The last night's performance welcomes Thato Tswai on drums. Thato Tswai is a freelance drummer and music professional from Pretoria, South Africa.

Tswai first picked up a pair of sticks at the age of twelve at a local christian church. Several musical influences have marked his evolution as a well-rounded drummer to play many styles and genres such as gospel, jazz, fusion, Latin and funk. His makeup of sound and approach can be accredited to artists such as Buddy Rich for his clean approach, Chris Coleman for his power, speed and playfulness and George McCurdy as well as Chris Dave for his youthful unconventional approach.

Thato completed a high certificate course in music at the University of Pretoria (UP) under his drum lecture Dio Santos. As of 2018, he was completing his music diploma at UP. He has worked with bands such as Beat Box Campus (BBC), All The More, Brotherhood Jazz Quintet and Nomadic Tribes Records.

Some of his career highlights include performing with Morore Moryks at the Moretele Annual Jazz Festival, South African Jazz trumpeter Prince Lengoasa at the Annual ANC Chris Hani Memorial Ceremony and South African jazz guitarist Wayne Bosch at The Orbit.

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