Acclaimed UK based jazz sextet, THOKOZILE COLLECTIVE, release their long-awaited eponymous debut album on all major digital platforms, dropping on August 16, 2024. This highly anticipated release, honed after five years of gigging and developing material, showcases the group’s unique blend of world jazz, with influences from Southern and Western Africa, plus more from the melting pots of London and the BCP conurbation in which they base themselves.

Early feedback from preview copies sent to radio stations and promoters has been excellent and the band will be playing a number of UK festivals in summer 2024. The band was formed on the back of a British Council musical exchange between the UK and South Africa over a decade ago – the legacy lives on through the band, its music and education work.

Since 2019, Thokozile Collective has settled into its current 6-piece, with African, Canadian, European and UK members. The album features Senegalese master percussionist, Cheikh Diop, Canadian saxophonist Terry Quinney, UK musicians guitarist Rob Palmer, bass player Jack Shaughnessy, drummer Neil Evans, plus Anglo-European multi-instrumentalist and band founder, Dan Somogyi (brother of renowned jazz bassist Arnie).

We are in love with this album…it is just great music… Every track on the album is an absolute knockout – The Big Jazz Hullabaloo

The album features an eclectic mix of covers and originals. Along with a couple of exciting new takes on established South African jazz classics, notably Brotherhood of Breath’s M’ra and Zack Nkosi’s Lonely Days, the album includes originals whilst being notable also for jazz instrumental versions of tunes from different genres, notably Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens’ Thokozile (the inspiration for the band’s name).

Ahead of the album release, three singles have been released / scheduled. Afro Quest, a catchy guitar and sax-led tune, with driving percussion break and a southern African feel, written by bassist Jack Shaughnessy, was released in May. Second single, Hound Cat, a driving guitar / sax funk/jazz workout, penned by guitarist Rob Palmer, came out on June 14, 2024.

Nice vibe, great! – Idris Rahman, Soothsayers

A third single, Sungura Stomp, perhaps the most African sounding of the 3 preview tracks, written by US Afropop specialist and friend of the band, Banning Eyre, drops July 12, 2024. An exuberant, upbeat, jangly guitar piece inspired by Sungura music originating from Zimbabwe, it sets the tone for the whole, joyous album.

Thokozile Collective will be available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube Music. The album is also available now in physical form via Thokozile Collective’s Bandcamp webpage

(www.thokozile.bandcamp.com) and via Birnam CD.

Available for download and streaming from all major online platforms

Available on CD from Bandcamp, Amazon UK, Amazon US and birnamcdshop.com