Text: Phinda Mzala | Photographs: Supplied
On Saturday, 8 November 2025, the Breezeblock Café courtyard and Lit.Culture in Brixton will be transformed by Not Your Uncle’s Jazz, a day-long session dedicated to the sonic, literary, and the sartorial. Presented by Phinda Mzala and Lit.Culture, this is a conscious move away from what Phinda Mzala founder Scelo Mdladla calls “your uncle’s jazz,” which he describes as safe and socially expected.
“Your uncle’s jazz is Sunday afternoons with Metropolitan sounds humming in the background, smooth sax over a braai, the same old jazz anthems from the 90’s playlist played on repeat.”
He notes that while it honours the past, it often leaves it sealed in amber, familiar and respectable, but distant, a sound that has been cleaned up for the living room, stripped of its teeth and its danger.
Not Your Uncle’s Jazz is the lively, unruly response. It is a full-bodied reclamation of jazz as a living, breathing force, raw, rebellious, and rooted in the soul of contemporary Joburg. This is the energy forged in spaces like Phinda Mzala and Kasillery, where the music isn’t polite background noise but a potent declaration of identity.
It’s the exact vibe Lunga Mkila captures thus:
“This Jazz wears sneakers, slings a tote, hops galleries, and drinks almond milk lattes while debating AI ethics. If anyone asks, tell them it’s not a gig, it’s a vibe.”
From 13:00 until 20:00, the venue will hum with the energy of a true cultural hub. Beyond the music, you can connect with a curated selection of books, unique thrift finds, and the crate-digger’s haven of the Soweto Record Fair, creating a dynamic space where community and discovery intersect.
The auditory journey is designed to be as deep as it is diverse. It opens with Maxwell Vulani Baloyi at the piano, performing a profound solo meditation on South African jazz history. His set is a poignant journey through the greats, featuring the intricate work of Pat Matshikiza, the spiritual depth of Bra Zim Ngqawana, including variations of “Lakutshon Ilanga,” and powerful cuts from his own seminal work, Healing Palms. Critic Bongani Madondo describes his music as a “silent conversation” that “challenges us to listen attentively, in a space that fosters thought and deeper understanding.” This is a rare, intimate opportunity to feel the full weight and beauty of the tradition, past and present.
The soulful ensemble J.O.D (Journey of Discovery) will then take the stage, combining music, poetry, and storytelling. Drawing from roots in Limpopo, the Vaal, and Soweto, their performance is a powerful exploration of identity, legacy, and healing, creating a truly reflective and empowering experience that connects contemporary audiences to deeper narratives.
As the afternoon sun dips, the energy shifts to a potent DJ lineup curated to move both feet and mind. This includes the deep vinyl excavations of Lunga Mkila, the versatile and dynamic mixes of Snazzo, the seamless Afrobeat and soulful house blends from Flames Shilowa, the high-energy, genre-defying selections of Rob Tha Banka, and the deeply evocative storytelling sets of Mamello Pule that create moments of memory and reflection.
Mdladla continues:
“Not Your Uncle’s Jazz is a testament to our commitment to preserving and celebrating South African culture. It’s about creating a space where music, storytelling, and community intersect, offering an experience that resonates deeply with our heritage. This is a day for listeners, thinkers, and anyone who wants to connect with the heartbeat of the city.”
The Breezeblock Café courtyard will become a dedicated listening space where the music commands attention, tells our stories, and pulls the crowd into a collective, existential groove that moves both body and spirit.
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, 8 November 2025
- Time: 13:00 – 20:00
- Location: Breezeblock Café and Lit.Culture, 29 Chiswick Street, Brixton, Johannesburg.
- Tickets: R80 on Quicket https://www.quicket.co.za/events/321530-not-your-uncles-jazz-2/?ref=organiser-profile#/ and R100 at the door.
- Come for the music. Stay for the existential groove.
