Formed in 1998 by Jools Holland’s former MD, Paul Bartholomew, Mbawula play wonderfully vibrant South African jazz and township jive. They performed at Nelson Mandela’s birthday concert in Trafalgar Square, and released their debut album, Southern Grooves, to huge acclaim. BBC Radio 3 sessions followed. Today, Mbawula features an array of European and African jazz talent, including Osibisa’s Alfred Bannerman on guitar, and South African vocalist Joyce Moholoagae.