Bulelwa Hoala
The second instalment of the Absa Jazz Sessions at Marble, in partnership with Kaya 959, took place this past Sunday, 14 September 2025, with The Jazz Standard hosted by Brenda Sisane broadcasting live.
Attention was paid to every detail, from the décor right down to the elevator button.
Distinguished guests arrived to the easy-listening sounds of DJ Sumthin Brown, whose set featured smooth jazz, new jazz, and acid jazz. Canapés were served and drinks were flowing courtesy of Glenlivet and Stella Artois.
The night kicked off with a powerful performance by MC Stoan, whose Tswana praise singing set the tone, accompanied by enthusiastic ululating from the audience. Guests were immediately immersed in the experience.
Adding his own flair to the evening, Sydney Mbhele, Chief Marketing Officer at Absa Group Ltd, took a playful jab at being asked for a last-minute welcoming speech by referencing his hilarious AI-assisted speech.
“On behalf of Absa and the entire team here at Marble, it is our absolute pleasure to welcome you to tonight’s or this afternoon’s Absa Jazz Sessions,” Mbhele said to roaring applause and laughter.
Joining in on the joke, Marble’s head chef, David Higgs, admitted he could never use ChatGPT because it doesn’t include curse words.
He was, however, on brand when he flaunted his bright red Absa Cape Epic socks, revealing that cycling is his absolute passion.
In his introduction of the culinary experience, Higgs emphasised the deep connection between food and jazz by likening the dining experience to an improvisational live jazz performance.
The menu featured a range of exquisite dishes, from starters like cured salmon, calamari, and roasted cauliflower soup, to mains including lamb shoulder, fillet of beef, grilled seabass, and sesame-crusted aubergine, with dessert of white chocolate and guava.
Curated to a tee, each course was perfectly paired with exceptional wines from the Absa Top 10 Pinotage winners.
The evening’s headliners, multi-award-winning Cape Town-based collective Kujenga, captivated the room with “Clarion Call” from their 2024 album In The Wake. They also performed fan favourites, including “Night at the Marketplace” from their debut album Nationality, and delivered a moving rendition of Zim Ngqawana’s “Resolution.”
DJ Mamthug closed the evening with acid jazz and electronic jazz infused with bossa nova, while guests departed with personalised memorabilia from Stella Artois.
Overall, the Absa Jazz Sessions proved once again that it is in a league of its own, setting the standard for music, culinary excellence, and cultural celebration.
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