The Jonathan Rubain Band, Cape Town’s much-loved jazz ensemble, is launching their debut album Happy People on Friday 26 March at a concert to be held in the AFM Goodwood main auditorium at 19:30.

The band is headed up by Jonathan Rubain on bass and vocals, who also composed the music for the album. The album also features accomplished solo jazz musicians Donveno Prins on saxophone, Keith de Bruyn on drums, Marco Mentoor on keyboard, Cameron Ward on guitar, Tony Paco on percussion, as well as guest guitarist Julius May and guest trumpeter Mandise Dyantjies.

“I want the people to hear what’s inside my heart,” said Rubain about the recently completed 12-track album. “The songs are about happiness and freedom. And also about love,” he added.

Rubain learned to play the bass growing up in Cape Town’s Hannover Park. He has excelled to become the bass player of preference for legends such as Mac McKenzie, Errol Dyers and Robbie Jansen. With the Cape Jazz Band he has played at festivals in France and Malaysia, and with the Goema Captains of Cape Town in Reunion. He has also appeared as a featured guest with artists such as Wanda Baloyi, Jeff Maluleke, Allou April, David Kramer & Camillo Lombard, and was recently also the bass player for the production Three Wiser Men in the Baxter Theatre. Rubain has performed at numerous concerts and festivals locally and abroad, including the Cape Town Jazzathon, Indian Ocean International Jazz Festival and the Genting International Jazz Festival.

The Jonathan Rubain Band is becoming a festival fixture in Cape Town. They featured, amongst others, on the Basil Coetzee stage at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in 2009.  Happy People is their debut album as a band, and was recorded by James Porter at Session Room Studios in Somerset West, and produced by Jonathan Rubain.

The band will also be performing at the Cape Town Jazz Festival this year.

Tickets for the launch concert on 26 March are R70, and this includes a complimentary copy of the Jonathan Rubain Band’s debut CD, Happy People. Tickets can be booked by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phoning Cherish on 074 630 0291.

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