Cuecumber Jazz

South African Noteworthy Performances

The Band has performed at many private functions as well as festivals, some of which include:

• The Overberg Wine Route Book Launch
• The Octoberfest 08
• Zimfest
• Community Chest Carnival 09
• Community Chest Carnival 10
• V&A Waterfront Sunset Concerts

Notable venues

• Babbaloos
• Greyton Lodge (GL Threatre)
• The Oak and Vigne
• G-Spot
• Obz Cafe
• Paulaner Brauhauss
• The Seaside Blues Cafe
• Glitterati
• African Relish (Prince Albert)

Members

CRAIG VICTOR - GUITAR

Craig started to play the Guitar in 2006 at the age of 16, under the tuition and mentorship of Alan Yon.  In 2007 he initiated the first ever Jazz band at Bellville Technical High School, named Legacy. Craig continues to study music and the Guitar, and experiments with different genres, art forms and artists.

GEMAYEL KROUKAMP - DRUMS

Gemayel started his music studies at the age of 4 playing classical guitar and piano. At age 12 he discovered the drums, which he fell in love with. At the age of sixteen he played drums for stage productions such as FAME and Grease. During this period he also played for numerous Gospel bands in and around the Overberg region. During 2005 he started playing Jazz with a number of Big Bands in Cape Town, developing a new love for the genre. Some of the Jazz performances were with the Austrian Jazz quartet Six Tension on their Cape Town tour. He has also performed with various Cape Town musicians such as Jeff Weiner, Mike Laatz and Ed Kirkwood.

ZANELLE STIPP - TRUMPET

Zanelle had her first music lessons at the age of 5, and over the years tried and tested many different instruments.  She eventually found “the one” and fell in love with the trumpet.  In 1998 she pursued her studies at the South African College of Music (UCT).  While studying, she became a member of the UCT Big Band under the direction of Prof Mike Campbell, became a member of the National Youth Jazz Band in 2000 and performed at many festivals in and around Cape Town, such as the Grahamstown Jazz Festival and Joy of Jazz Festival.  She also performed with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra on many occasions. She completed her BMus and BMus Honours Degrees in trumpet performance at UCT in 2003.

MERRILOU NEFDT – KEYBOARDS

Merrilou started playing piano when she was 6 and says she has pretty much been behind the keys ever since!  Classically trained, she completed the highest level from the Royal Conservatory of Music when she was 16.   Her love for playing grew as she played for various gospel groups, and she has been privileged to accompany choirs and soloists and be a part of many musicals.

DEON KALLIS - BASS

Deon started the electric bass in 1994 and spent a few months at the Jazz Workshop under the tuition of Spencer Mbadu. He studied clarinet at the Battswood Arts Centre in 1997 and switched to the soprano and tenor saxophones soon after. After having played tenor saxophone in the Athlone Academy of Music’s Big Band for a few years, he currently plays bass guitar for the Connelly Big Band and the Fascinationz Band.