The City of Roses (CoR) Jazz Ensemble emerged fortuitously in mid-2022 when a few jazz musicians who are staff members of the Odeion School of Music (OSM) at the University of the Free State (UFS) began to meet once a week to jam Standards from various jazz eras. As these jam sessions further enriched the soundscape at the OSM, suggestions came from other staff members and visiting friends to include the ensemble among OSM’s offerings. The band, now resident at the OSM, began as a trio of a trumpet, drum kit and piano and has since added bass and saxophone.
The members of the CoR jazz ensemble are Joseph Kunnuji (trumpet), Claire Rontsch (alto & tenor saxes), Nicol Viljoen (piano), Marc Rontsch (bass) and John Smit (drum kit). In future concerts, the ensemble will present South African jazz pieces and original compositions by its members. Jazz enthusiasts may listen to the CoR Jazz Ensemble’s concerts at least twice each semester at the Odeion and the band’s performances at other venues in Bloemfontein and beyond. Ultimately, the ensemble will feature OSM students who want to try their hands on jazz and related genres as guest performers, offering them an experiential learning opportunity.
Contact:
Joseph Kunnuji
E: kunnujijo@ufs.ac.za