This is a live recording of my new quartet performing in C7 @ SACM. The band plays all my original compositions based on gospel and South African music.

Marlon Witbooi - drums
Kyle Shepherd - piano
Buddy Wells - sax
Benjamin Jephta - bass

watch on http://youtu.be/VBjpqSC0Ru0

Benjamin Jephta Quartet - Untitled 1

This is my debut album with my Jazz Quintet available on Itunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/homecoming/id966500746)

“As musicians coming from different training institutions, we are taught a variety of concepts and are exposed to various styles and genres of music. We are taught what is ‘hip’ and what is not. I assimilated what was trendy and emulated the people I looked up to. In the processes, I lost track of the real spirit of my music. The reason I play music, the essence of what first inspired me to compose a melody.

It’s that spirit I wanted to capture by calling this album ‘Homecoming’. I wanted to explore my own history and incorporate it into this sound. To capture the spark that was my first, purest love for music. Having been raised on the Cape Flats in Mitchells Plain and coming through the church, I want to give the listener a musical biography of my life by using the harmonies and melodies associated with that upbringing. As an artist, I believe one should create music that is significant (firstly) to you. I have always been captivated by this kind of honesty in the musicians I look up to. It is exactly what I’m hoping to achieve with this album: to move and uplift the spirit. To welcome you, the listener, to my musical home.”

Benjamin Jephta – Basses/inserts 
Kyle Shepherd – Piano/Rhodes 
Sphelelo Mazibuko – drums 
Sisonke Xonti – Tenor Sax 
Marcus Wyatt – Trumpet
Spha Mdlalose - Voice 

Album Credits
Recorded at Sumo Sound Recording Studio in June 2014 Engineer – Peter Auret
Assistant Engineer – Luyanda Molao
Mixed by Peter Auret and Benjamin Jephta
Video & Stills – Hannah Paton and Ryan Roux Artwork/Illustrations and CD/poster design – Mzwandile Buthelezi


'Homecoming' Mixtape - Benjamin Jephta Quintet (2015)

'Identity’ is the new single by bassist and composer Benjamin Jephta, featuring rapper Jitsvinger and vocalist Eden Myrrh. Jephta (2017 Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz) fuses his love of jazz, hip-hop and electronic music in this new track that speaks to self-expression and living your truth, fearlessly.

Benjamin (24) has already made a name for himself as one of South Africa’s premier jazz double bass and electric bass players. Nominated for both the Metro FM awards and a SAMA, 2016 saw him winning the Wawela Award for ‘Best Male Artist’ and ‘Songwriter of the Year’. Now he puts on the hat of producer for this crossover single that showcases his range as an artist. 'Identity' is the first single from his anticipated sophomore album, ‘The Evolution of an Undefined’, due for release in late 2017.

Identity - Single 

Identity

Identity - Single (extended version)

'Choice' feat. Thapelo Lekoane

Music by Benjamin Jephta
Lyrics by Eden Myrrh

Benjamin Jephta - bass & organ
Bokani Dyer - piano
Sphelelo Mazibuko - drums
Sisonke Xonti - sax
Marcus Wyatt - trumpet

Special guest : Peter Auret - shaker, mix and master

Choice feat. Thapelo Lekoane

'Choice' feat. Thapelo Lekoane

bass & production - Benjamin Jephta
piano - Kyle Shepherd 
drums - Sphelelo Mazibuko
trumpet - Marcus Wyatt
sax - Sisonke Xonti

Benjamin Jephta

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