LibraryJams

The Goethe-Institut always strives to support local arts and culture, so LibraryJams aims to create performing and income-generating opportunities for artists in a safe environment - while simultaneously producing fresh digital content.

Artists perform short concerts in front of a small, select audience in the Goethe-Institut’s library, while their performances are recorded and then later released in a video series. Think Tiny Desk Concerts, but in a Joburg library!

Release date: 27rd February 2024
Episode 16: The Brother Moves On presents "A New Myth" - TEN Years Later

Featuring Kujenga, Vivacious Sounds, Yonela Mnana, Nolan Dennis & BJ Engelbrecht. The Brother Moves On celebrate 10 years of their debut "A New Myth" with their multi-disciplinary performance alongside an 8 piece choir and supported by Kujenga.

© Photo by Discovr TV
Release date: 7th February 2024
Episode 15 : Yonela Mnana ft Vivacious Sounds

Yonela Mnana is arguably the zenith of composition when it comes to the Johannesburg live music scene. Fresh from the funeral of his family matriarch and grandmother Yonela delivers a truthful and touching set alongside a 7 piece choir from Katlehong named Vivacious Sounds.

© Photo by Discovr TV
Release date: 1st February 2024
Episode 14 : Kujenga

Catch this 6 year old magical act from Cape Town on their first sold out tour to Johannesburg as they revel in the intimacy of the Market Photo Workshop Library.

© Photo by Discovr TV

Watch Out Tiny Desk! Here Comes Library Jams

Bubblegum Club author Thembeka Sincuba was at the Library Jam on December 1st and 2nd 2023 at Market Photo Workshop and captured the special atmosphere of the three-part concert. Find out what made the concert so outstanding and get a further impression of the videos.

Library Jams Episode 14 : Kujenga © Photo by Discovr TV

Library Jams Ep. 13
Zaki Ibrahim

"It's good to be home" is what South African-Canadian singer Zaki Ibrahim said in between songs, echoing a sentiment all of us in the audience felt: that in this right moment, with the Johannesburg rain outside and Zaki's soulful, vulnerable melodies serenading us, we all felt like home.

© Thabang Radebe
Library Jams Ep. 12
Langa Mavuso

When a thunderstorm started while Langa Mavuso's performed his song "Mvula" (isiZulu for "rain"), we knew this LibraryJams would be extra special. The singer, songwriter and performer from Johannesburg gave a stellar performance full of emotions, accompanied by his band "Offshore": Ndumiso Magida (Keys), Teddy Khubeka (Drums) and Ralton Affinand (Bass).

© Langa Mavuso
Library Jams Ep. 11
Jazz Cats

When we asked who should perform next at LibraryJams on our Instagram, we did not expect the overwhelming feedback: our notifications blew up by the many fans of Jazz Cats who tagged them on our post. And the people's choice did not disappoint: fusing Jazz, Hip-Hop and Soul in a South African way, the sounds of Boitumelo Pitso (Vocals), Siphiwe Nxumalo (Keys), Musa Ngubeni (Bass) and Molefi ‘Leevos’ Phuroe (Drums) are a perfect addition to the ever growing archive of LibraryJams.

© Thabang Radebe

Library Jams Ep. 10
Msaki

We celebrate Episode Nr. 10 of LibraryJams with Msaki, the prolific singer-songwriter from the Eastern Cape. Most known to the public through house anthems like "Fetch Your Life" with Prince Kaybee or "Wish You Were Here" with Black Coffee, her impact is even stronger in an intimate setting like LibraryJams. The song "Blood, Guns and Revolution", written in response to the Marikana massacre in 2012, is today as relevant as ever with the Russian attack on Ukraine. We hope you find some relief in her performance.

@ Thabang Radebe
Library Jams Ep 9 at LAPA
Sio

Sio seems to be one of those people who have been outrageously blessed with many talents: she is a writer, poet, singer and model, and - as we noticed during her LibraryJams performance - she has a knack for jokes as well. Backed by the warm sounds of supporting band Nlite, made up of Daev Martian (keys), Robin Fassie (trumpet) and Chenoa Nwokedi, her performance was far from being a joke though!

@ Thabang Radebe
Library Jams Ep. 8
Spha Mdlalose

After Spha Mdlalose's LibraryJams performance at LAPA, the audience felt like they had just come out of church: her mixture of jazz, soul and gospel, combined with her powerful voice touches on your deepest emotions. Therefore, it is only right to release this episode on a Sunday, serving you with your weekly dose of spirituality.

© Thabang Radebe

Urban Village

Four guys from Soweto with a shared love for local music, inspired by history, experimenting and growing together. 'Udondolo', their debut album, is an excellent example of South African music, as the sound is built on the many cultural influences of their home "village" of Soweto.

Library Jams Ep. 6
Mandla Mlangeni

For this special episode of the LibraryJams, South African trumpeter Mandla Mlangeni brought together Ariel Zamonsky (bass) and Xolani Mfula (tap) to create a one-of-a kind performance! Each artist brings their own unique flavour to our library, as shown during their take on "musical chairs", where they take the stage one after another. However, the full strength of the group comes when they combine all their voices, weaving their sounds intricately together.

© Goethe-Institut Johannesburg
Library Jams Ep. 5
Melo B Jones

From the start of her performance, you can feel Melo B Jones deep appreciation for rap music. Next to a great band, consisting of Gabriel Montgomery (Keys), Sam Ibeh (Drums) and Robert "Evoke" Magwenzi (Bass), she is also supported by Dimakatso - her loop station!

© Goethe-Institut Johannesburg
Library Jams Ep. 4
Bongeziwe Mabandla

Even if you don't understand Bongeziwe Mabandla's home language isiXhosa, you get a profound sense of the joys and heartbreak that love brings to him. His South African folk sound is the perfect example of what the LibraryJams aim for.

© Goethe-Institut Johannesburg
Library Jams Ep. 3
Charles Gene Suite

Meeting with the flurry of excitement that is the many members of The Charles Géne Suite, one needs to be sharp to not get lost in the inside jokes being thrown around.

© Goethe-Institut Johannesburg
Library Jams Ep. 2
Shasha

The thumping bass and staggering log drums are complemented well by Shasha’s unique voice, which was carved by her years of experience in church choirs.

© Goethe-Institut Johannesburg
Library Jams Ep. 1
Zoë Modiga

Rooted in African spirituality and Zulu folklore, Modiga is graced with the stage presence of the greatest performers out there.

© Goethe-Institut Johannesburg

LibraryJams

Release date: 27rd February 2024 Episode 16: The Brother Moves On presents "A New Myth" - TEN Years Later

Release date: 7th February 2024 Episode 15 : Yonela Mnana ft Vivacious Sounds

Release date: 1st February 2024 Episode 14 : Kujenga

Library Jams Ep. 13 Zaki Ibrahim

Library Jams Ep. 12 Langa Mavuso

Library Jams Ep. 11 Jazz Cats

Library Jams Ep. 10 Msaki

Library Jams Ep 9 at LAPA Sio

Library Jams Ep. 8 Spha Mdlalose

Library Jams Ep. 6 Mandla Mlangeni

Library Jams Ep. 5 Melo B Jones

Library Jams Ep. 4 Bongeziwe Mabandla

Library Jams Ep. 3 Charles Gene Suite

Library Jams Ep. 2 Shasha

Library Jams Ep. 1 Zoë Modiga

Follow us

Release date: 27rd February 2024
Episode 16: The Brother Moves On presents "A New Myth" - TEN Years Later

Release date: 7th February 2024
Episode 15 : Yonela Mnana ft Vivacious Sounds

Release date: 1st February 2024
Episode 14 : Kujenga

Library Jams Ep. 13
Zaki Ibrahim

Library Jams Ep. 12
Langa Mavuso

Library Jams Ep. 11
Jazz Cats

Library Jams Ep. 10
Msaki

Library Jams Ep 9 at LAPA
Sio

Library Jams Ep. 8
Spha Mdlalose

Library Jams Ep. 6
Mandla Mlangeni

Library Jams Ep. 5
Melo B Jones

Library Jams Ep. 4
Bongeziwe Mabandla

Library Jams Ep. 3
Charles Gene Suite

Library Jams Ep. 2
Shasha

Library Jams Ep. 1
Zoë Modiga