Kabantu Wins ROSL Arts Mixed Ensemble Final

Congratulations to Kabantu, winners of the 2017 Royal Over-Seas League Arts Mixed Ensembles Section Final.

Hailing from Manchester, Kabantu (formerly Project Jam Sandwich) comprises Katie Foster (violin), Abel Selaocoe (cello), Ali McMath (double bass), Ben Sayah (guitar) and Delia Stevens (percussion). Together, they throw away the rule book to showcase music from around the globe – from the vocal harmonies of South Africa and the Brazilian samba, to Balkan folk and Celtic Reels.

Over the past 18 months Kabantu’s success has grown from strength to strength. In addition to the ROSL win (which also marks a milestone for Delia Stevens, who won the competition back in 2012 as one half of the Aurora Percussion Duo), the quintet are Making Music 2016-17, Live Music Now and BBC Introducing Artists. Describing the win on Facebook, they said: ‘Quite unbelievably, we just won the Royal Over-Seas League Competition!’

Celebrating its 65th anniversary, the ROSL ARTS, the arts division of the Royal Over-Seas League, has developed a diverse portfolio of arts activities in music, visual arts and literature. It is devoted to the career development of talented young professional artists and musicians from the UK and the Commonwealth, and also presents readings and literary events at its central London Headquarters. Described as the most eclectic section of the competition, this year’s Mixed Ensembles final featured four groups, including the RNCM’s A4 Brass.

If you’ve not heard Kabantu before, click on the video to find out what all the fuss is about:

22 March 2017