Sankayi Jazz Series Brings Intimate Live Jazz Evenings to Morningside

The Sankayi Jazz Lounge welcomes jazz lovers to enjoy intimate nights of live music from some of South Africa’s most talented and revered artists with their Sankayi Jazz Series. Running weekly from, the series offers a space where music, atmosphere, and hospitality come together.

Sankayi Jazz Series Sankayi Restaurant & Lounge | What's on in Joburg

Talented acts fill your weekends with the smooth sounds of jazz

Hosted at Sankayi Jazz Lounge, the Sankayi Jazz Series marks a different chapter for the venue, bringing dedicated live jazz experiences within its already well-known hospitality offering.

Each Friday evening of the series features two sets by one (or more) artists, with a 30-minute interval between sets. The November edition includes various Thursday and Friday night performances. Each performance is presented in a setting designed to balance concert listening with a premium dining experience.

The Sankayi Jazz Series November programme

Sankayi Jazz Series Carlo Mombelli | What's on in Joburg

Week One, Concert 1 – Carlo Mombelli

The Sankayi Jazz Series welcomes jazz lovers for an evening with South African bassist, composer and bandleader Carlo Mombelli to open its November programme.

Mombelli’s distinctive musical voice has developed over more than four decades. His work moves beyond conventional jazz, exploring contemporary composition, open forms and sound architecture shaped by African rhythmic and melodic sensibilities.

His music brings together written and improvised elements, creating space for reflection, spontaneity and musical discovery. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with internationally recognised musicians including Egberto Gismonti, Lee Konitz, Nils Petter Molvær and Jeff Ballard, alongside leading South African artists.

Experience Carlo Mombelli’s distinctive musical world in the intimate setting of Sankayi.

Cost: From R400pp. It is recommended that you arrive early to have dinner (at an additional cost) before the concert. Book via Quicket

When: Thursday, 5 November 2026. Dinner and drinks open at 6pm and close at 7.30pm. Concert starts at 8pm
Where: Sankayi Jazz Room, Green Park Corner, Morningside, Johannesburg

Sankayi Jazz Series Dalisu Ndlazi | What's on in Joburg

Week One, Concert Two – Dalisu Ndlazi

On the first Friday of November, experience an evening with South African bassist Dalisu Ndlazi, whose playing is defined by deep groove, swing, musical sensitivity and an instinctive connection to the ensemble.

Dalisu has established himself as a sought-after bassist, performing and recording with South African and international artists. He currently tours internationally with pianist and composer Nduduzo Makhathini’s Trio.

His presentation, The Culmination, reflects on the family, friends, mentors, teachers and community whose support has shaped his personal and creative development. It explores readiness not as a final destination, but as an ongoing process of growth, learning and becoming.

Cost: From R400pp. It is recommended that you arrive early to have dinner (at an additional cost) before the concert. Book via Quicket

When: Friday, 6 November 2026. Dinner and drinks open at 6pm and close at 7.30pm. Concert starts at 8pm
Where: Sankayi Restaurant & Lounge, Green Park Corner, Morningside, Johannesburg

Sankayi Jazz Series Louis Mhlanga | What's on in Joburg

Week Two, Concert One – Louis Mhlanga

Week two of the November programme opens with a performance by legendary African guitarist, singer-songwriter and composer Louis Mhlanga.

Born in South Africa and raised in Zimbabwe, Louis has developed a distinctive musical voice that transcends national borders and musical genres. As a guitarist, his unique style draws on a remarkable range of sounds, evoking instruments such as the marimba, mbira, kora and flute.

A multilingual musician, producer, arranger, and ethnomusicologist, Louis has performed worldwide, bringing his musical perspective to audiences across continents. His work reflects a broad African musical identity, shaped by diverse influences and an enduring commitment to musical expression.

Cost: From R400pp. It is recommended that you arrive early to have dinner (at an additional cost) before the concert. Book via Quicket

When: Thursday, 12 November 2026. Dinner and drinks open at 6pm and close at 7.30pm. Concert starts at 8pm
Where: Sankayi Jazz Room, Green Park Corner, Morningside, Johannesburg

Sankayi Jazz Series Bokani Dyer | What's on in Joburg

Week Two, Concert Two – Bokani Dyer: Traditions Album Launch

Sankayi Jazz Series presents the album launch of Traditions by multi-award-winning South African jazz pianist, composer, producer and bandleader Bokani Dyer.

Known for his genre-blurring sound and expressive compositions, Bokani has established himself as a distinctive voice in contemporary South African jazz.

His album Neo Native won the 2019 South African Music Award for Best Jazz Album, while Radio Sechaba – released in 2023 – explored themes of identity, unity and belonging.

With Traditions, Bokani brings his own perspective to familiar musical material, reimagining compositions through the intimate sound of the piano trio.

Cost: From R400pp. It is recommended that you arrive early to have dinner (at an additional cost) before the concert. Book via Quicket

When: Friday, 13 November 2026. Dinner and drinks open at 6pm and close at 7.30pm. Concert starts at 8pm
Where: Sankayi Jazz Room, Green Park Corner, Morningside, Johannesburg

Sankayi Jazz Series Nomfundo Xaluva by Lerato Pakade | What's on in Joburg — Image credit: Lerato Pakade

Week Three – Nomfundo Xaluva

Week three brings two nights of live music with multi-award-winning jazz vocalist, composer and educator Nomfundo Xaluva.

Nomfundo is one of South Africa’s distinctive jazz voices, combining her work as a performer and composer with a strong commitment to music education. She holds a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Cape Town, where her research focused on Miriam Makeba, and an Executive MBA from Henley Business School.

In 2025, she released her third album, Ndilapha, which received critical praise and award nominations, and now she’s bringing her distinctive sound to the Sankayi Jazz Room.

Cost: From R400pp. It is recommended that you arrive early to have dinner (at an additional cost) before the concert. Book via Quicket

When: Friday and Saturday, 20 and 21 November 2026. Dinner and drinks open at 6pm and close at 7.30pm. Concert starts at 8pm
Where: Sankayi Restaurant & Lounge, Green Park Corner, Morningside, Johannesburg

Sankayi Jazz Series Scullery Quintet | What's on in Joburg

Week Four – The Scullery Quintet

The Scullery Quintet brings its boundary-pushing approach to music to the Sankayi Jazz Series. The ensemble is dedicated to creating and performing original compositions that challenge traditional genres and create immersive experiences for audiences.

Their distinctive artistry has been recognised with two Momentum Aardklop Awards in 2025, followed by two wins at the 2026 kykNET Fiësta Awards for Best Music Production and Best Performance in Classical Music.

The quintet has also received nominations from Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees and KKNK, further establishing their reputation across the classical and contemporary music landscape.

Cost: From R400pp. It is recommended that you arrive early to have dinner (at an additional cost) before the concert. Book via Quicket

When: Thursday, 26 November 2026. Dinner and drinks open at 6pm and close at 7.30pm. Concert starts at 8pm
Where: Sankayi Restaurant & Lounge, Green Park Corner, Morningside, Johannesburg