UKZN Lunch-Hour Concerts: Music

UKZN Centre for Jazz and Popular Music Presents: The Songbook Sessions – Monday Night with Masuda.

Durban, South Africa – The UKZN Centre for Jazz and Popular Music proudly presents another exciting edition of The Songbook Sessions, featuring acclaimed Johannesburg-born DJ, producer, and pianist Obakeng Thamage, better known as Masuda, on Monday, 01 June 2026 at 18:00.

Masuda is rapidly redefining the Afrohouse landscape with a distinctive sound that blends cinematic depth, electronic dance music energy, and rich live instrumentation. A graduate of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, he has collaborated with some of South Africa’s biggest music names, including Prince Kaybee, Distruction Boyz, Zakes Bantwini, Kabza De Small, and Dlala Thukzin. Most recently, he co-produced the hit track “Muthi” alongside Kabza De Small and Dlala Thukzin.

Known for his immersive live performances, Masuda seamlessly fuses live synths, expressive piano riffs, and his signature productions, all enhanced by striking visuals and a bold, fashion-forward aesthetic.
For this special performance, he will be joined by an exceptional ensemble featuring Daniel Sheldon on trumpet, Mandla Matsha on percussion, and Nick Pitman on guitar.

Event Details
Event: The Songbook Sessions – Monday Jam Session led by Masuda
Date: Monday, 01 June 2026
Time: 18:00
Venue: UKZN Centre for Jazz and Popular Music
Tickets:
• R130 – Standard
• R100 – Pensioners
• R70 – Students
Tickets are available at the door or via Webtickets. https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/Performance.aspx?itemid=1595344554

Pivotal Moment for UKZN Pop and Jazz Voice Students

Five University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Pop and Jazz Voice students, from the Music Discipline in the School of Arts successfully auditioned to sing with the acclaimed KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra (KZNPO) for a special Mother’s Day concert held at the Pavilion Shopping Centre in Durban.

Read more: https://ndabaonline.ukzn.ac.za/UkzndabaStory/volume-14-issue-20/pivotal-moment-for-ukzn-pop-and-jazz-voice-students

A Vocal Masterclass will be presented by Dr Lisa Engelbrecht, Vocal Coach and Répétiteur at Opera UCT, on Saturday 30th May from 10h00-13h00 in the Howard College Theatre. Six senior students from the UKZN Opera Studio and Choral Academy (OSCA), have been selected to participate in the Masterclass. We encourage students and the larger Durban public to attend the Masterclass since Dr Engelbrecht is highly regarded as an international Vocal Coach and Répétiteur. Entrance is free of charge.

This will be followed by a Concert in the Howard College Theatre from 15h00 – 16h30, featuring the award-winning South African baritone Sandile Zitha from the SA College of Music at the University of Cape Town, accompanied on the piano by Dr Lisa Engelbrecht. In addition to their exciting and varied programme, including Zitha performing the Pearl Fishers’ duet by Georges Bizet with our very own tenor Nonkanyiso Khumalo, the OSCA Ensemble under the direction of Lionel Mkhwanazi, the Head of OSCA and accompanied by Senzekile Biyela, will perform excerpts from Carmen by Georges Bizet. Tickets are available at the door from 14h30 at R50 per adult and R20 for pensioners. UKZN students will be allowed free entrance. A gem of a concert not to be missed!