Jazz trumpeter Muneeb Hermans has taken the Cape Town jazz scene by storm this April and May. Catch the 2022 Mzansi Jazz Award nominee live with his quintet in and around the city.

After listening to “Kaapstad”, on repeat, Keanetse Mokhothu made it her mission to find out how a musician can be so precise in describing the Mother City.

With your 2022 released album, One for HP in mind, what do you define South African jazz as?

I define South African jazz as a unique culture. We have various cultures in South Africa, and I would say we have crossed the path of defining between traditional jazz and South African jazz. For instance, One for HP album has a very Cape Town sound but with some chord changes that come from the standard traditional jazz sound.

What is your favourite (s) SA jazz subgenre and why – how does it influence or composition style and playing?

I love Goema music because it is obviously the sound I grew up with. I love the groove too. It has a huge impact on the way I write music. It is not much experienced on One for HP but I have lately been writing a whole bunch of Goema tunes which made me realize how great of an influence this sound has on my life.

Muneeb, which direction has the sound of Mzansi jazz taken – how does it appeal to you?

I would say the direction which Mzansi jazz has taken is one where I feel there are no boundaries. Like yes, there are certain rules we need to follow but I also feel rules are meant to be broken, but also understanding the fundamentals before breaking them. So when I write my compositions, there is a lot of freedom for the musicians to explore and just play.

Which life and music lessons have you learned through playing with giants such as George Werner and Buddy Wells – in which areas of your career do you apply them?

When it comes to George Werner, his lessons were always about life first. He made me understand that there are certain life disciplines you need to transfer into the music lessons. I have had the honour of being in his presence for a very long time and I am always grateful for the life lessons and also the opportunities he afforded me to see the world. And of course my journey with Buddy started while playing in Tete Mbambisa’s band. I always looked up to Buddy Wells because his style of playing reminded me of all the South African great saxophonists. Then in 2017, he selected me to be a part of the Standard Bank National Youth Band in 2017 which was under his guidance and leadership. From that point on we have been working on various projects together.

How did you formulate the Muneeb Hermans sound – what blossoms it?

Well, I think the Muneeb Hermans sound is all based on influences I have experienced by listening to various styles of music since high school. My sound is very Cape Town orientated. I started my journey in the Kaapse Klopse, so that will always be a part of my life and sound. I think it is fair to say my sound formulated over a long period of time, and I would say it stops here because I am still searching and I am still on this journey of experimenting to a point where I can positively say this is me.

Mentorship – your view on it ?

I think mentorship for me is an important factor in any young musician’s life. I do not think it would be possible to succeed without being mentored. I have had the privilege of being surrounded by many great musicians who guided me along this journey and I feel without that kind of guidance and mentorship, I would not have been where I am today.

Going back to your latest offering, One for HP, when can we look forward to its follow up?

Getting back to my latest offering, I want to give One for HP a couple of months to familiarize audiences with my sound. Obviously I am looking to explore more and get back into studio as soon as possible, but for now I want the masses to enjoy my debut album. I think I would probably release album number 2 in 2024.

Muneeb Hermans performs live in Cape Town – April/May 2023:

Amber on Bree
Thursday, 20 April 2023, from 8pm
Free
16 Bree Street, Cape Town
Tickets – booking is advisable

Intravinous Bar Wine Lounge & Bar
Friday, 21 April 2022, from 8pm
R150
110 Loop Street, Cape Town
Tickets – Quicket

Amber on Bree
Thursday, 27 April 2023, from 8pm
Free
16 Bree Street, Cape Town
Tickets – booking is advisable

Urban Soul Café & Jazz Bar
Saturday, 29 April 2023, from 8pm
R100
2 York Road, Muizenberg
Tickets 066 598 1709

Amber on Bree
Thursday, 4 May 2023, from 8pm
Free
16 Bree Street, Cape Town
Tickets – booking is advisable

Amber on Bree
Thursday, 11 May 2023, from 8pm
Free
16 Bree Street, Cape Town
Tickets – booking is advisable

Amber on Bree
Thursday, 18 May 2023, from 8pm
Free
16 Bree Street, Cape Town
Tickets – booking is advisable

Amber on Bree
Thursday, 25 May 2023, from 8pm
Free
16 Bree Street, Cape Town
Tickets – booking is advisable

Grub & Vine, Blue Room
Friday, 26 May 2023, from 7h30pm
R200 for the evening
103 Bree Street, Cape Town
Tickets www.blueroomza.co.za/welcome, 087 153 5244

Grub & Vine, Blue Room
Saturday, 27 May 2023, from 7h30pm
R200 for the evening
103 Bree Street, Cape Town
Tickets www.blueroomza.co.za/welcome, 087 153 5244

A Touch of Madness
Sunday, 28 May 2023, from 3pm
R100
12 Nuttall Road, Observatory
Tickets Webticket

Baxter Theatre Centre (Concert Hall)
Wednesday, 31 May 2023, from 8pm
R100 – scholars, R140 – adults
Main Road, Rondebosch
Tickets Webtickets

Current social media handles in use:
Facebook: @muneebhermans
Instagram: @muneebhermans