In her sophomore album God Bless iKapa. God Bless Mzantsi., Thembi Dunjana unites American and South African artists together in a magnificent quintet, performing original works that highlight her singular vision and extraordinary journey as an artist.

The album is a homage to the pianist’s home city Cape Town (iKapa) and her country of birth, South Africa (Mzantsi). Thembi states that “it is an acknowledgement and a gratitude to the city which has afforded me the opportunity to be anything I wanted to be, in my case, a musician”. In this album she chooses to focus on the social and political positives —rather than focusing on the negatives— of growing up in a city like Cape Town. On a broader scope, the album is acknowledging God, who has been good in the protection of His people, within the city and within South Africa. Just as the title suggests, God Bless iKapa. God Bless Mzantsi: “I am asking God to continue to protect us as matters seem to get more chaotic around the world”.

Musically, she synthesizes the contemporary SA jazz sound with her American jazz influences: Moses Molelekwa, Afrika Mkhize, McCoy Tyner and Sonny Clark, to create a unique musical blend, unique to her musical creativeness. “Although I like contemporary styles, I love American jazz from the 50s and 60s in particular; my style captures these in a way where traditional jazz forms are prevalent, but the musical sound can be described as modern. I never try to sound like anyone but my influences come out in my compositional and improvisational approach”.

Zoe Obadia - alto saxophone Siya Charles - trombone Jerome Jennings - drums Darrian Douglas - drums on “iKapa” and “Echoes of Gugulethu” Thembi Dunjana - piano and vocals

Recorded December 2023 at 360 Sound Studio

Producer - Thembi Dunjana Recording, Mixing & Mastering - Alon Benjamini Recording Assistant - Noam Shapira Production Assistant - Oscar Mohedano Executive Producer and AfricArise Curator - Seton Hawkins

All Music written by Thembi Dunjana