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Sipho Kunene

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Sipho Kunene BIO

Sipho Kunene was born in Cape Town, South Africa and now calls New York City home. He has lent his drumming skills to a diverse assortment of musical situations over the course of his career.



Sipho spent many years with rising star keyboard phenom Matthew Whitaker’s Trio. The group has done many European tours as well as trips to Australia, Indonesia and Canada performing at various jazz clubs, concerts, and festivals. Some festivals performed are the Java Jazz Festival in Jakarta, Indonesia, the Montreal Jazz Festival, Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, Atlanta Jazz Festival and many others both domestically and internationally.



For one and a half years Sipho performed with the great South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, (formerly known as Dollar Brand), as a part of the Abdullah Ibrahim Trio. A live CD, “African Magic”, was recorded in Berlin, Germany for the Enja Record label. On occasion the trio's performance was embellished with orchestra to perform Ibrahim's "African Suite". "African Suite" performances included accompaniment by the Orchestra National de Lyon in Lyon, France and the Verdi Chamber Orchestra in Milan, Italy among others.



Sipho has also toured extensively with legendary South African trumpeter and pioneer Hugh Masekela doing concerts, clubs and jazz festivals both in the USA and abroad. Sipho can be heard on the

title cut of the Hugh Masekela CD "Uptownship"on RCA Records.


He was also drummer for “Three Mo’ Tenors” for a two year block.



"Three Mo' Tenors in Concert" was taped for PBS Television’s “Great Performances” airing in all USA markets. A self-titled CD was recorded on the BMG/RCAVictor record label.



Sipho worked with The Harlem Gospel Choir who after a tour of the Blue Note Jazz Clubs in Japan and a two week tour of Italy proceeded on to Malta where they were featured as special guests at “The Malta Music Awards” (broadcast on MTV Europe).



He’s also worked with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the amazing acapella group which was part of Paul Simon’s “Graceland” tour, Jennifer Holiday, Ben E. King, the landmark Carnegie Hall production “Black Stars of the Great White Way”, the theatre productions “3 Mo Divas” (recorded live for broadcast at the Denver Performing Arts Center by PBS) and “Cookin’ at the Cookery”,



Sipho spent over six years with Harry Belafonte. Touring took the group to Japan, Africa, the Carribean, Canada and Europe many times over. A live concert video entitled "Global Carnival" was recorded at the "Children on the Front Line Music Festival" in Harare, Zimbabwe which aired on PBS. The group also did many television appearances around the world and in the US including "The Tonight Show". While Sipho was with Belafonte a CD was recorded live in Germany for the EMI Germany record label.



Sipho was mentored by master drummer and percussionist “Papa” Jo Jones and is a graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA.

Sipho Kunene News


Jazzmobile's SUMMERFEST Returns in July With Concerts in All Five Boroughs


New York City’s parks and outdoor spaces come alive with the sound of jazz in the summer, courtesy of Jazzmobile’s 58th annual Summerfest 2023 series, which premieres on stages throughout the city’s five boroughs with an outstanding assemblage of nearly 30 jazz stars and emerging talents from July 5 to September 24.

Marieann Meringolo Brings BETWEEN YESTERDAY AND TOMORROW - The Songs of Alan & Marilyn Bergman to Chelsea Table + Stage


Chelsea Table + Stage presents Marieann Meringolo in “Between Yesterday and Tomorrow - The Songs of Alan & Marilyn Bergman” on Sunday, April 24, 2022 at 7:00PM.

Marieann Meringolo Makes Brookside Cabaret Debut August 4th With BETWEEN YESTERDAY AND TOMORROW: THE SONGS OF ALAN & MARILYN BERGMAN


What could be better than an evening of music by The Bergmans? Having the music be sung by Marieann Meringolo.

Jazzmobile's Summerfest 2021 Season Kicks Off This Week


The 57th annual festival, dedicated to co-founder Dr. Billy Taylor in honor of his 100th Birthday, takes over stages across the city to present a diverse roster of jazz icons and emerging artists.

Jazzmobile's Summerfest 2021 Kicks Off July 7, Including Award-Winning Film & Performance By Questlove


Jazzmobile’s much-anticipated return –  with (limited) audiences promises to be another outstanding year of high-quality performances by world class performers that will fill New York’s cultural landscape with jazz in all of its forms, including straight-ahead, swing, blues, Latin, Afro-Cuban and more.

Jazzmobile Celebrates International Jazz Day With Virtual Presentation Of Keep The Music Playing


Jazzmobile's community concert “Keep The Music Playing” is back with nearly 60 stellar Jazz musicians who are donating their performance to support Jazzmobile, and its performance & education programs!

Photo Coverage: Marieann Meringolo Performs at the Friars Club & Joins The Legends On The Walls


It can be quite intimidating to perform in the Friars Club. Pre show a performer might be relaxing in the Billy Crystal Room on the main floor or upstairs in the Barbra Streisand Room.

Marieann Meringolo Performs at Don't Tell Mama, Today, March 8th


Award-winning recording artist and entertainer, Marieann Meringolo, brings her theatrical concert Between Yesterday and Tomorrow: The Songs of Alan & Marilyn Bergman to Don't Tell Mama(where her cabaret roots began 30 years ago) today, March 8th at 7:00 PM. The show is directed by award-winning Will Nunziata, with Music Direction by Doyle Newmyer, and with Boots Maleson on bass and Sipho Kunene on drums.

Marieann Meringolo Performs at Don't Tell Mama, Friday, March 8th


Award-winning recording artist and entertainer, Marieann Meringolo, brings her theatrical concert Between Yesterday and Tomorrow: The Songs of Alan & Marilyn Bergman to Don't Tell Mama(where her cabaret roots began 30 years ago) on Friday, March 8th at 7:00 PM. The show is directed by award-winning Will Nunziata, with Music Direction by Doyle Newmyer, and with Boots Maleson on bass and Sipho Kunene on drums.

Solo Artist Marieann Meringolo Brings New Show To Don't Tell Mama


Award-winning recording artist and entertainer, Marieann Meringolo, brings her critically acclaimed theatrical concert "Between Yesterday and Tomorrow: The Songs of Alan & Marilyn Bergman' to New York City's treasure, 'Don't Tell Mama!" It's where her cabaret roots were sprouting just a mere 30 years ago...And, now she is delighted to once again grace the renowned stage for a One Night Only Event on March 8th, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.

Marieann Meringolo To Celebrate The Release Of Her Latest CD At The Iridium  


The New York based vocalist has been receiving 'Rave' reviews for her powerful interpretations of the songs written by the legendary team of Alan & Marilyn Bergman. From being called 'The Miracle at Feinstein's,' to being compared to both Streisand and Linda Eder, Marieann's reputation as one of the best interpreters of song working today, continues to soar!  

Celebrate Unity With The New Musical Concept THE GRAVITY OF LOVE


Voza Rivers/New Heritage Theatre Group in partnership with City College Center for the Arts will present 'The Gravity of Love' this Today, October 25th at Aaron Davis Hall in City College @ 7pm.

Celebrate Unity With The New Musical Concept THE GRAVITY OF LOVE


Voza Rivers/New Heritage Theatre Group in partnership with City College Center for the Arts will present 'The Gravity of Love' this Wednesday, October 25th at Aaron Davis Hall in City College @ 7pm.

HAPPY 90TH BIRTHDAY MR. BELAFONTE: A Loving Celebration and Concert for a Living Legend


Get ready for an inspiring, joyful, heartfelt evening from the music stage of one of the most beloved legends of our time. The performing family of Harry Belafonte is coming together to celebrate this pivotal birthday and to reflect on life on the road with Harry. Join us for a special and rare evening of a loving celebration concert in appreciation of what it is to be an artist, a humanitarian, an activist for human dignity and justice.

Photo Coverage: Marieann Meringolo brings The Songs of Alan & Marilyn Bergman to Feinstein's/54 Below


Marieann Meringolo's show "Between Yesterday and Tomorrow" The Songs of Alan & Marilyn Bergman has been playing at Feinstein's/54 Below and Broadwaywolrd was there for the closing night. The New York Times' Stephen Holden has noted, 'Ms. Meringolo, a singer who bares some physical and vocal resemblance to Barbra Streisand...is not shy about emoting in grand style. She also has a sense of humor that comes into play at appropriate moments."

Matthew Morrison, Laura Benanti Celebration and More Set for Next Week at Feinstein's/54 Below


Next week, Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

Matthew Morrison, Laura Michelle Kelly, David Yazbek and More Set for May at Feinstein's/54 Below


This May, Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. Scroll down for the full lineup!

BWW Reviews: Marieann Meringolo Is Solid But Over-'Orchestrated' at the Metropolitan Room


As a big fan of cabaret shows that incorporate horn sections (as does Terese Genecco's monthly 'Little Big Band' efforts at Iridium or Carole J. Bufford's 2012 show, speakeasy., which featured Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks), I was more than a little jazzed to hear that compelling Streisand sound-alike Marieann Meringolo would be doing a package of her 'greatest cabaret hits' from past shows, but supported by a 7-piece band (including three horns--Richie Vitale on trumpet, Jonathan Kantor on tenor sax, and Danny Hall on trombone) for a gig spanning three weekend nights (May 31-June 2) that she and her director Eric Michael Gillett called 'Orchestrated.' In this case, 'orchestrated' unfortunately came across more like 'engineered' or 'manufactured.'

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