André Swartz
From his first job as a teen as a sweeper in a Cape Town aluminum factory to touring with the Royal Shakespeare Company with a residency in Stratford Upon Avon, André draws from his culture and life experiences to create and perform music.
André started playing drums at the age of 12 at his church. A decade later, he interviewed at the University of Cape Town with friends on a whim. His acceptance into the UCT jazz program changed the trajectory of his life and career to be a full-time musician and teacher.
His passion for education drives André as much as his passion for his craft. He has taught all levels and ages, and was most recently the Head of Faculty (as well as a drum kit and music business lecturer) at COPA Cape Town, a music college preparing young adults for careers in music.
His influences include world music, jazz, funk, RnB, neo-soul, Motown, gospel, progressive metal and math metal, classic rock, reggae, and hip hop.
André’s Resume
2018 Panelist: Cape Town International Jazz Festival panelist
2017 Performance: Reunion Island Sakifo Festival, performed with Belgian/Congolese artist Petite Noire
2017 Performance: South African Musical Festival Zakifo Durban, performed with Petite Noire; opened for headliner Damian Marley
2016 Performance: South African Music Festival Rocking the Daisies, performed with Nomadic Orchestra
2016 Performance: South African Music Festival Oppi Koppi, performed with Nomadic Orchestra
2016 Performance: Malawian Music Festival Bushfire
2015 Recording: Tristan Weitkamp’s New Horizons self-titled album
2012 Performance: Cape Town International Jazz Festival, performed with Steve Dyer Quintet
2012 Recording: Ubuntu Music by Steve Dyer
2011 Performance: Malawian Music Festival Bushfire
2011 Recording: Singer/Songwriter Stanley Zive’s debut EP
2010 Performance: Soccer World Cup dignitary event in host city, Cape Town
2010 Recording: Hot Water’s “South” album
2010 Recording: Jazz Pianist Bokani Macha’s “Plan Be”/ Soul Housing Project
2009 Collaboration: Mack Mackenzie’s “Composers Workshop” featuring Mack Mackenzie and Hilton Schilder
2009 Recording: “Winter in Cape Town 09″ featuring George Werner, Titi Tsira, Sandile Gontsana and Mack Mackenzie
2008 Performance: “The Tempest”, percussionist in a historic collaboration between the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Baxter Theatre Company; toured England and had a 3-month residency at the Swan Theater at Stratford-Upon-Avon
2008 Recording: Bokani Macha’s debut jazz album “Mirrors”
2004 Performance: South African National Youth Jazz Band performed at the last North Sea Jazz Festival held in The Hague
“Music is a great blessing. It has the power to elevate and liberate us. It sets people free to dream. It can unite us to sing with one voice.”
