Abavuki are an Afro-Fusion World Music Ensemble from Langa, Cape Town.  In 2021/22, Abavuki will celebrate 20 years of playing their infectious upbeat grooves across SA and internationally, with the release of a new album and a worldwide tour planned to commemorate this milestone.

Their isiXhosa name “Abavuki” means ‘Wake up, early birds!’ and this attitude is palpable in Abavuki’s high-energy, uplifting music that reflects the band's optimistic outlook on life and their approach to music-making.

All talented multi-instrumentalists, the band play traditional African instruments (drums, percussion & marimbas) overlaid with brass (trumpet & trombone) to create their unique, vibrant & contemporary Mzansi sound, firmly based on African music principles & influenced by kwaito, jazz and Latin American rhythms.

Winners of multiple awards including the IMEXSA 2015 Export of the Year, Abavuki have released various albums, performed at top local & international festivals including being selected for Womex 2014 & Visa For Music 2014, toured Europe (Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Poland and more) & China, and a career highlight, were commissioned to record “Africa got Soul” to celebrate Motown’s 50th anniversary.

INTERNATIONAL NOTEWORTHY PERFORMANCES:

- Ethno Port, Poznan, Poland
- Respect Festival, Prague, Czech Rep
- Oerol, Terschelling, the Netherlands
- Houtfestival, Haarlem, the Netherlands
- Fusion-Festival, Larz, Germany
- Afrikafestival, Hertme, the Netherlands
- Zomer van Antwerpen, Belgium
- Colours of Ostrava, Czech Rep
- Okarina Etno Festival, Bled, Slovenia
- Festival der Kulturen, Augsburg, Germany
- Folk Holidays, Náměšť nad Oslavou, Czech Rep
- Bardentreffen, Nürnberg, Germany
- Resident band for 2 months on the Viking Line ferry between Sweden and Finland - 2010
- Travelled to China in 2006, where they spent a week in each of Urumqi, Xi’ning and Beijing. Their second album “Live in China” was recorded in Xi’ing.

Followers of mirh