The band, comprising Jill Saward (lead vocals), Bill Sharpe (keys), Keith Winter (guitar), George Anderson (bass) and Roger Odell (drums), will be heading to the Mother City for a night fans will foster, forever.
Today Shakatak amplify their live shows with Jacqui Hicks (backing vocals, saxophone & flute) or Debby Bracknell (backing vocals & flute) and Alan Wormald (guitar & backing vocals).
“This music still glows as brightly as that first hearing…Shakatak aren’t just a band, they are the soundtrack to our lives”
RONNIE SCOTT’S House Magazine (UK)
Shakatak have enjoyed a level of success, and career longevity rarely paralleled in contemporary music – but then Shakatak is a particularly unusual group.
Due to the nature of their music, their fanbase is far-reaching while always retaining an ‘underground element’. This paradox sees the band, known primarily as serious jazz/funk musicians, enjoying high ‘cult’ status and instant recognition as a much-loved household favourite.
Thanks to their successful recording career, Shakatak has firmly established itself as a vibrant live act, combining astute musicianship with a sense of fun that translates perfectly with audiences worldwide to this day.
Shakatak scored several major hits, “Night Birds” (1982) and “Down on the Street” (1984), plus a further 12 entries in the Guinness Book of British Hit Singles.
The group is still active, selling out tours, particularly in Japan and the Far East, and commonly produces a new album every two years on JVC Records.
From their first release in August 1980 to their first 1981 album, Drivin’ Hard, the band’s singles and albums have entered the charts throughout their careers.
The release of 1981’s “Easier Said Than Done” gave Shakatak the radio exposure needed for their first Top 20 hit.
The follow-up, “Night Birds” (1982), was their first single to reach the Top 10
The self-titled album on which the track appears also gave Shakatak their first gold record, entering at number four and remaining in the UK charts for 28 weeks.
Shakatak’s fifth album, Down on the Street (1984), delivered the standout classics “Down on the Street” and “Watching You”, both of which had great success and brought them love and attention from new audiences around the world.
The following year saw the release of the group’s second live album, Live! (1985), which was recorded in Tokyo and London.
“Something Special” (1987), closely followed by the night club and chart hit “Mr Manic & Sister Cool” from their next LP, Manic & Cool (1988).
In the 1990s, the band achieved success in the US when two of their albums went Number One on the contemporary jazz charts while also being awarded the Japanese Grammy for Best International Instrumental Album six years running.
Expect a hits-filled evening with all the classic fan favourites, and perhaps even a few unexpected treats too!
The Opening act is the ELIXIR BAND featuring Leonie Leroux
Book at Ticketmaster (Tickets start at R250.00)
https://www.ticketmaster.co.za/event/shakatak-live-tickets/2845
The band have a full 2025 tour schedule already
2025
JAN 09 Boisdale, Canary Wharf, London, UK
MAR 22 Westgate Hall, Canterbury, UK
APR 04 Jazz & Lights Festival, Oberkochen, Germany
APR 11 Maltings, Ely, UK
APR12 Strings, Newport, Isle Of Wight, UK
JUN 07 Soultasia, Promenade Park, Maldon, UK
JUN 20 Swansea Jazz Club, Mumbles, Swansea, UK
JUN 21 Iford Manor Jazz Festival, Iford, UK
JUN 22 Fougou Jazz, Livermead Hotel, Torbay Road, Torquay, UK
JUN 28 Grand West Arena, Cape Town, South Africa
JUL 06 Great British Festival, Ashley Hall, Cheshire, UK
JUL 11 Concorde Club, Eastleigh, UK
JUL 12 Hampton Hub Club, Hampton, UK
JUL 18 Chequer Mead, East Grinstead, UK
JUL 28 – AUG O7 Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho, London, UK
AUG 11 Music Festival, Aubeterre Sur Dronne, France
SEP 05 The Factory, Worthing, UK
SEP 12 The Stables, Wavendon, UK
SEP 13 Busfest VW Campervan Festival, Malvern, UK
OCT 23 Kammgarn Kaiserslautern, Germany
OCT 24 Wollfabrik, Schwetzingen, Germany
OCT 25 Hot Jazz Club Münster, Germany
OCT 27 KuFa, Krefeld, Germany
OCT 28 Nochtspeicher, Hamburg, Germany
OCT 29 Nochtspeicher, Hamburg, Germany
OCT 31 Jazz Club, Minden, Germany
NOV 02 Theaterstübchen, Kassel, Germany
NOV 03 Meisenfrei, Bremen, Germany
NOV 05 Harmonie, Bonn, Germany
NOV 06 Musiktheater Piano, Dortmund, Germany
DEC 04 – 06 Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho, London, UK
DEC 07 Ipswich Jazz & Blues Club, Venue 16, Ipswich, UK
For more information, contact:
Martin Myers
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I am South African! A non white born during the most horrific time of Apartheid! In our revolurion… In our schools and universities… We listened to and danced and celebrated to the music 🎶 of Shakatak! 🎉! You helped us endure a great tragedy with such inspirational compositions! Thank you for all your music 🎧… South Africa and Tokyo loves all of you! Dylan 🙏