composer/bassist/educator Sibongile buda

Sibongile Buda.…

Sibongile Buda, known as Ms. Buda Bass, is a Mamelodi born, South African performing artist. She’s a bassist, composer, band leader, music program teacher and director. Her passion for music is traced back to her grandmother, who plays an African drum in church. Her love for music emanates from growing up in a musical background, following in her grandmother’s footsteps. This lead to a discovery of a music program known as Committed Artist for Cultural Advancement (CAFCA) through childhood friends. She’s currently teaching music at CAFCA, which focuses on enhancement of music skills for children from disadvantaged communities. Buda is a founder and Program Director of the female led organisation Jazz Camp for Female Instrumentalists Mamelodi (JCFI), whose purpose is to groom and empower females with artistic skills from an early age and to provide a platform for female artists to showcase their talent.

As director and host of the weekly Global JazzWomen Hang, Buda has co-produced three online concerts and an in-person festival, and continues to seek out and connect women from around the world in a new international community of support.

Performances include ensemble Enoch Sontonga Hall at University of South Africa; Grahamstown National Arts Festival (SA); Delft, Netherlands; Beijing, China; and the Molde Jazz Festival with JCFI Norway band. Performed and presented at the Jazz Education Network (JEN) conference in New Orleans, USA & participated at the SAJE conference held at University of Cape Town (UCT). Attended & participated at the International Society of Bassists (ISB) held at San Francisco State University USA. With JCFI band, performed in International Jazz Day and the first annual Global JazzWomen Festival in Botswana.