PENTAFUSION present #TIME. Jazz in the Native Yards concert at Alliance Française du Cap – 155 Loop Street, Cape Town. On Friday, 29 August 2025. ALBERT COMBRINK reviews.
South African jazz fusion ensemble PentaFusion played at the ongoing Jazz Nights series which happens every last Friday of the month at Alliance Française du Cap in Loop Street. The Quintet was founded in 2022, and from the get-go, has attracted national attention from critics and audiences alike.
PentaFusion was awarded the Standard Bank Bronze Ovation Award for their evocative debut performance of Fragments in 2022, followed by a second Ovation Award in 2023 for Wilderness. Their latest production, A Musician’s Guide to the Galaxy, took the National Arts Festival by storm in 2024, garnering rave reviews and securing a third consecutive Ovation Award.
Founded in 2022, PentaFusion brings together celebrated musicians and rising talent from Gqeberha and Makhanda, fostering a cross-generational synergy that infuses their music with tradition and innovation.
The band comprises 5 musicians
Stacey van Schalkwyk – director, composition, flute
Virgil Matrass – composition, piano and keyboard
Nhlanhla Xipu – violin
Yashin Naidoo – composition, bass
Pete Glover – drums
#Time is a deeply expressive collection of original compositions for flute, violin, and jazz trio, centred around the theme of time – its passing, its pressures, and its poetry. Stylistically, the work traverses a rich landscape: from the improvisational freedom of jazz-fusion, through the urgency of progressive rock and a hint of symphonic metal. #Time explores the theme of time through an innovative blend of jazz-fusion, progressive rock, and symphonic textures.
The programme was presented in two halves, each roughly 50 minutes, which was a good spacing for music quite a far distance away from the Jazz traditionally heard in Cape Town. Works by three of the band-members, while providing great stylistic diversity, were somehow chosen to gel stylistically: Rock, Metal and Jazz and even Classical textures mingled and took turns to occupy centre-stage. One can see why the ensemble’s playing has been unanimously acclaimed for both virtuosity and originality.
When seeing a flute and a violin fronting a traditional jazz trio of piano, bass and drums, one might expect something light and frivolous, delicate and whimsical. Instead some of the music was surprisingly dark, with sharp unison interjections from the two melody instruments, over powerful bass-playing that presented either a riff, or occasionally took the steeringwheel. One of the group’s artistic goals is “Cultural Storytelling”, and in that, they did not fail to deliver. There was ample space for solo-improvisation, but the compositions are strictly scored and structured.
It was also heartening to note that the artists made use of some of the concert-funding avenues that are available. They are few, but they are there: Concerts SA Mobility Fund, Concerts SA Series, and Heuer Music were all co-sponsors of the short Cape Town tour which included a Free Lunch Hour Concert at UCT.
The venue is a strange mix of homely, quirky and elegant: a mixmatch of chairs and tables surrounded by books; a slinky but unremarkable bar that serves elegant but unobtrusive snacks and meals; two pianos (one a decorative but unplayable grand, the other a brown box of undetermined quality); sightlines carved up by pillars and a terrarium like empty space behind a wall of old glass doors; the lighting barely adequate with no-one who knows which light-switches controls which lights…. It was an interesting and enjoyable experience and the criticisms amount to a quirky French shrug of the shoulder rather than annoyance. Grab your drink, sit down, and enjoy the music.
And enjoy the music, the audience did. Deeply attentive listening followed by genuine, generous and warm applause, made for a most interesting and enjoyable evening in the city center.
Artist Biographies
Stacey van Schalkwyk (flute/composer/director)
Stacey is a multifaceted creative, working as a flautist, composer, arranger, researcher, and educator. Nearly two decades ago, she co-founded the band Mosaic, performing at prestigious events such as Nelson Mandela’s birthday celebrations, the International Jazz Educators Conference in Atlanta, the African Economic Forum’s Heads of State, and the Commonwealth Cultural Exchange Conference. She has collaborated with esteemed musicians like Deepak Ram, Lex Futshane, Mageshen Naidoo, Brendan Jury, and the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra. Her debut recording appeared on Gathering Forces Vol. 2 alongside Darius Brubeck, Deepak Ram, and Airto Moreira. Following her son’s birth, Stacey took a 20-year hiatus from performing. She returned to the stage in 2019, co-founding PentaFusion and resuming her roles as a composer, arranger, flautist, and educator. Since her return, Stacey has premiered and performed her compositions in South Africa, and at The National Arts Festival, earning multiple Standard Bank Bronze Ovation Awards. Her work with PentaFusion has garnered widespread acclaim for its innovative sound and compelling performances.
Virgil Matrass (piano/composer)
Virgil is a professional jazz pianist, composer and arranger who seeks to inspire young, aspirant musicians to reach their full potential. He studied towards a BMus at Stellenbosch University and transferred to Nelson Mandela University where he completed the degree. He is a member of the well-known vocal acapella group, The Creed, who released their debut album in November 2019. He is also actively involved with the popular Erle Felkers’ Big Band. Virgil resides in Makhanda, Eastern Cape where he is Head of the DSG Junior Music School and the Choir Conductor. He also teaches class music, piano and voice and is the Jazz piano and vocal lecturer and accompanist at Rhodes University. Virgil’s extensive knowledge and experience of jazz and contemporary music led to the success of his students whom he has entered for Rockschool examinations.
Nhlanhla Xipu (violin)
Nhlanhla a renowned violinist from Johannesburg, is a prominent figure in South Africa’s classical music scene. With a versatile repertoire, Nhlanhla has graced the stages of esteemed orchestras across the nation, including the Eastern Cape Philharmonic, Free State Symphony Orchestra, Bochabela String Orchestra, Mzansi Classical Players, and the Buffalo City Metropolitan Orchestra. Beyond the classical realm, Nhlanhla has seamlessly blended genres, collaborating with jazz bands such as Variety, FiddleSaxStics, and Imbumba Orchestra. A multi-instrumentalist, Nhlanhla’s musical prowess extends to the saxophone, marimba, and bass guitar, demonstrating a boundless passion for music. Having studied under the guidance of Ms. Denise Sutton at the University of Free State, Nhlanhla currently serves as the Head of Strings at the Diocesan School for Girls, shaping the next generation of musicians with expertise and dedication.
Yashin Naidoo (bass/composer, photographer)
Yashin is a rising creative force known for his exceptional talent across photography, filmmaking, music production, bass performance, and education. His work has earned him multiple accolades, highlighting his diverse expertise and artistic vision. In 2019, he co-founded Point of Humanness, contributing as producer, cinematographer, and photographer. In 2022, he filmed and produced the short film Dying to Be Human, which featured in the Lift-Off Sessions Film Festival. His portfolio also features music videos for prominent South African artists, including the renowned pianist Paul Hanmer. As a bass player, Yashin co-founded PentaFusion, while his versatility extends across genres like metal, fusion, and rock. He has performed in numerous South African productions and at the National Arts Festival.
Pete Glover (drums)
Pete is a proficient and promising musician worth noting. During Pete’s undergrad years, he played in three bands: The Rhodes Jazz Band, Tonix, and Sfortzando. They performed at various events including the National Arts Festival. After graduating, Pete started a band playing mostly original music in local venues such as the Acoustic Cafe and Organic Live. He also played in other local bands such as ICala, Winternag and Stone House. Pete teaches drums at St Andrew’s Prep and helps facilitate various play productions and concerts.
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