Estelle performed at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival in 2015, with Chicago born saxophonist Chico Freeman and launched an album they recently recorded in Cape Town called The Sound of You. It featured South African jazz greats, Herbie Tsoaeli on bass and Kevin Gibson on drums.
While touring South Africa during the past five years, Estelle has appeared at The Orbit in Johannesburg 6 times, The State Theatre African Jazz & Music Nights, Arts Alive Festival in Johannesburg, The Crypt in Cape Town, UKZN in Kwazulu Natal, PE Opera House and the music college at Fort Hare University amongst others.
Estelle performed with UK cellist Kate Shortt at the London Jazz Festival in November 2016 and they presented their show at The Pheasantry and The Vortex. She is back at The Vortex Jazz Club on the 30th of December 2017 showcasing new material with her trio and will be featuring contemporary classical composer and climate change activist Lola Perrin’s piano pieces.
“If you want to hear a genuine innovator with a creative twist on Jazz vocals include Estelle Kokot” London Jazz Festival
Estelle recorded 2 singles when she was 18 with guitar legend Johnny Fourie and piano maestro Lionel Pillay. Her stage debut in 1987 with jazz super group Phambili at Kippies in Joburg caused a sensation. She went on to guest with South African World Music Stars Bayete, also appearing with SA Jazz greats Barney Rachabane and Mike Makhalemele. “South Africa, here is a real jazz singer” Don Albert, South Africa
1988 saw Estelle Kokot joining jazz fusion band Rush Hour and their album ‘The Perfect Way’ went on to top the charts. The band embarked on a successful tour of the club, festival and concert circuit in South Africa.
“Nothing short of stunning” Bongani Hlatshwayo
In 1990 Estelle went solo. She has sung at 5 Big band Jazz Galas at Pretoria’s State Theatre and presented her solo shows at the Windybrow and Grahamstown Arts Festivals.
Estelle moved to London at the end of 1993 and soon established herself on the live scene, performing at Pizza Express and The Vortex Jazz Clubs, Cambridge Modern Jazz Cub and Band on the Wall in Manchester.
She has performed at the Cork, London and Soho Jazz festivals, as well as the Dusseldorf Jazz Rally and clubs and theatres in Switzerland and Germany.
Estelle sang with the Jazznights Trio who were:
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Sunday 20th October 2019 – NIC MEIER (gtr) will be at Jazznights
In just a few short years, UK-based guitarist Nicolas Meier has carved a reputation out as one of the UK’s most original and uniquely talented guitarists. Drawing from a love of Turkish, Eastern & Middle Eastern music, Flamenco, Tango and more — all mixed with jazz — Meier is one of the rising stars in a vibrant British jazz scene.
THE BEST IN BRITISH MODERN JAZZ is at Jazznights, Admission £10. Doors open 7.00 pm. Music 7.30 – 10.00 pm.
Reserve seating on 01787 237653 or email info@jazz-nights.com
Pay on the night.
You can join us at facebook, read reviews of previous performances on more opinions blog or tweet at twitter.com/jazznightsuk
The Jazznights blog and pictures is now at https://moreopinions.wordpress.com
Pictures from past gigs can also be found at https://www.flickr.com/photos/dancerd/
and at google photos Here
Moreopinions's Blog at Jazznights 