Wham Boom – Mahogany Room

Any jazz lover in Cape Town knows that there is definitely scope in the city for a good jazz club. Local jazz musicians like Kesivan Naidoo and Lee Thomson have felt the same for years. It’s what sparked them to begin looking for the ideal venue. And they’ve been looking for a long time. There were rumours of them taking over Obs’ beloved Armchair Theatre and one or two murmurs about other venues but nothing seemed to come off the ground. Until now…

With partner and investor, Lawson Naidoo on board, the musos have been able to make their dreams a reality by creating a cosy space where serious jazz musicians can come and play, and jazz lovers can come and listen. And the focus is the jazz itself – not the food, or the drinks.

Tribe playing up a storm!

The Mahogany Room, on Buitenkant Street stands next door to Diva’s. As you walk in, the smell of pizzas from next door is subdued by the scent of raw wood that’s been used for the bar, tables and chairs, and the stage. It’s an inviting, warm, smell that just seems to ‘fit’ in a jazz club.

On the evening that That’s Cape Town went to visit, Tribe was playing their 12^th Anniversary gig. It was incredible listening to some of the country’s top jazz musicians just let loose. They played their hearts out. And you could tell by the grins on each of their faces that they loved every minute of it. In the audience, some of Cape Town’s other jazz greats listened and relished every note; every beat.

Buddy Wells and Kesivan Naidoo of Tribe

We can’t wait to go back! And we will, soon.

Keen to check it out? Find out who’s gigging and when on the Mahogany Room Facebook page here.