Not Your Uncle’s Jazz a day long celebration of sound, style, and story at Breezeblock in Brixton
By CityLife Arts Writer
On Saturday, 8 November 2025, Brixton’s Breezeblock Café and Lit.Culture will be transformed by Not Your Uncle’s Jazz, a day-long celebration of sound, style, and story.
Presented by Phinda Mzalaand Lit.Culture, this is a conscious move away from what founder Scelo Madlalacalls “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 says.
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. Lunga Mkila captures it well:
“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.”
The event begins at 1 PM until 8:30 PM, turning into a cultural hub where books, records, and thrift finds meet the heartbeat of Joburg. Artist Slovo Mamphagawill exhibit works inspired by jazz, adding a visual dimension to the day’s experience.
The music kicks off with pianist Maxwell Vulani Baloyi, performing a profound solo meditation on South African jazz history. His set is a 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.”
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, connecting 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 Lunga Mkila, Snazzo, Flames Shilowa, Rob Tha Banka, Mamello Pule, and Manjik Mak, offering deep musicall excavations, genre-defying selections, and soulful house blends.
Madlala 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 will become a dedicated listening space where the music commands attention, tells our stories, and pulls the crowd into a collective groove that moves both body and spirit.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, 8 November 2025 Time: 13:00 – 20:30 Venue: Breezeblock Café & Lit.Culture, 29 Chiswick Street, Brixton, Johannesburg Tickets: R80 on Quicket | R100 at the door.