Afro Blue is a five piece band whose aim is to present accessible music within the jazz framework, using a modern line-up of piano / synthesiser, bass guitar, drums, sax and flute. The repertoire is based around South African Township music, the emphasis being on good tunes and strong rhythm. Their live performances are always a treat. Not only is the musicianship excellent but these seasoned players show a complicity and enthusiasm which is a joy to watch, listen and dance to.

Afro Blue has been honoured to play for the South African High Commission. In 1998, the band performed for Virgin’s corporate fair at Richard Branson’s estate for the whole week of the fair. 1999 shows included jazz clubs, Smollenskys,  and The Strollerthon, The Save The Children charity walk  in central London.

Their first CD, released in early 1999, features tunes by Dollar Brand, Dudu Pukwana and Caiphus Semenya, as well as some originals by Dave Chambers, the leader of the band.

Personnel

DAVE CHAMBERS : Saxophones.  A composer and pianist as well as a sax player, Dave has worked with Mike Westbrook’s Brass Band and Julian Bahula’s Jazz Africa. He has recorded with Annette Peacock and Level 42, and played with many well established jazz bands over the years. As well as playing and composing tunes for other musicians, Dave runs his own recording studio in London.

PAUL ROBINSON : Drums.  A subtle drummer with a wide dynamic range and great experience, Paul has been touring the world with Nina Simone for the past 15 years as well as working and recording with Van Morrison, Cleo Laine, Smokey Robinson, The Art of Noise and many others.

STEVE LODDER : Piano - Keyboards.  Steve has the reputation of being able to play any kind of music. A choral scholar at Cambridge University, he has worked with Carla Bley, George Russell, Andy Sheppard and many other names and is equally at home playing the grand piano or the synthesiser.

ANDY HERBERT : Bass.  A self taught bass player, Andy has played most styles of music, from Rhythm and Blues to Rock and Jazz, and has worked with Phil Collins, Eddie Reader, Out Of Bar Squeek, The Chippendales and Zoot Money.

LUCKY RANKU : Guitar.  A South African musician in exile in London, Lucky has developed his own style of guitar playing based on "Township". Over the years, he has worked with all the South African greats, Julian Bahula, Doudou Pukwana, Chris McGregor, as well as being a member of Roland Perrin’s Blue Planet Orchestra and leading his own new band, Soweto Flame.