Vuma Levin is an artist from South Africa.
Levin graduated from Tshwane University of Technology with a National Diploma in Jazz at the age of 18. He also received music lessons from the South African jazz guitarist Johnny Fourie. Levin was awarded the Best Guitarist Award in 2008. In 2009, he joined the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Band as a guitarist which culminated in a performance at the Grahamstown Jazz Festival and later at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival. Levin went on to attend the prestigious Conservatorium van Amsterdam where he graduated and earned a Non-EU Talent Scholarship to finance his master’s studies.
In 2014, he came second at the national leg of the Keep an Eye Jazz Awards. Levin went on to win third prize for the most original band in the international leg of the Keep an Eye Jazz Awards, which featured bands from New York, Helsinki, Amsterdam, Vienna and Philadelphia. In 2014, he was nominated at the Dutch Eindwerk Prijs and emerged ninth finalist. In 2015, he was selected as a finalist in the Dutch Keep an Eye: The Records awards. In 2016, Levin won the national leg of the Keep an Eye Jazz Awards and came third at the international leg, featuring bands from Siena, Boston, New York, Barcelona and Amsterdam.
Levin has performed with top musicians in South Africa and abroad including: Benjamin Herman (Netherlands), Maarten Hogenhuis (Netherlands), Mark Schilders (Netherlands), Bänz Oester (SWI), Domenic Landolf (SWI), Matthias Spillmann (SWI), Marc Méan (SWI), Marcus Wyatt, Feya Faku and many others.
He has performed at such festivals as North Sea Jazz Festival (NED), Montreux Jazz Festival (SWI), Jazz in Duketown (NED), Amersfoort Jazz Festival (NED), Grachtenfestival (NED), Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, Grahamstown Jazz Festival, More Jazz Series (Mozambique, Maputo), Budapest Palace of the Arts (HUN), The Bimhuis (NED), LantarenVenster (NED), The Bird’s Eye (SWI), AMR (SWI), Gambrinus (SWI), The Orbit, De Tor (Enschede, Netherlands), The Amsterdam Jazz Festival (Amsterdam, Netherlands) and others
In the press:
“Vuma Levin is destined to be one of South Africa’s greatest musicians. The resulting music is a sonic journey through Levin’s hopes and fears, both as a musician and a South African. These are songs that are trying to soundtrack what it’s like to be displaced at home and abroad. It’s meditative and melancholic, and anchored by his guitar strings.” – Mail and Guardian, June 2015.
“South African guitarist and composer Vuma Levin has been receiving significant accolades in local and international circles, and it’s easy to see why. A thoughtful, intelligent improviser and bandleader, Levin is also a highly thought-provoking composer, one intent on exploring the music’s role in commenting on and shaping societal discourse.” – All About Jazz, May 2018.
“How Vuma Levin became a fan favorite in the African Jazz community.” – CNN Africa, September 2017.
“Vuma Levin Quintet sounds playful because of the usually cheerful melodies. Underneath the five put a finely thought-out collection of rhythmic motifs that fit nicely…”