ama-Ambush -
Marimba, African Music, Function Band and Party Band
- Cape Town
Ross Johnson is the founder of the group
amaAmbush. He was first introduced to African music,
as a young boy, learning the African penny whistle
on the streets of Cape Town. He has a degree in
music from the University of Cape Town, and works as
the Managing Director of amaAmbush Productions. He
leads the group, and plays the alto marimba.
Kyle Williams is studying a Bachelor of
Business Science degree at UCT. He comes from a very
musical family and started playing in his school
marimba band at the age of 13. Kyle has composed
popular amaAmbush tunes such as Kyle's song, and
Kryptonite.
Zama Qambi has been a full-time musician and
dancer since 2001 when he studied dance at UCT. He
first learnt to play the djembe (African drum) as a
young boy. Zama provides the drum rhythms and vocals
for amaAmbush.
Thulani Bukani is studying a Bachelor of
Engineering degree at Cape Tech. He was part of the
St Josephs Marist College marimba group with Kyle.
ama-Ambush
ama-Ambush is a professional marimba band that was
formed in 2002 by Ross Johnson. The band’s high
energy performances have put them in a class of
their own – which was confirmed when they were
awarded first prize at the 2006 National Marimba
Festival in Johannesburg.
The 5-piece band has over 600 live performances to
their credit. Recent performances include their CD
launch at the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town, a
performance with the Soweto String Quartet, and a
show onboard the Queen Elizabeth II (QE2). Other
clients include Sasol, Media 24, Pick ‘n Pay, the
Department of Education, the Department of Arts and
Culture, the University of Cape Town and the
University of the Western Cape.
Due to the increasing popularity of the group, they
have received widespread media coverage, with radio
interviews being aired on Cape Talk, Fine Music
Radio, CCFM and UCT Radio. In addition, feature
articles have been published in prominent local
newspapers. Toward the end of 2006 Ross Johnson
presented a workshop on the African Marimba in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia.
ama-Ambush
The group is an ideal addition to an event. They are
able to provide quiet background atmospheric music
or an energetic feature performance. Their
repertoire ranges from popular African tunes such as
Miriam Makeba’s Click Song and Pata Pata to
traditional material such as Amapondo’s 9:15 and
Uzuko Inyama. ama-Ambush have their own compositions
which are fast gaining popularity, such as "No More
Tears" and "Kyle’s Song".
ama-Ambush
ama-Ambush is involved in the development of African
music on the marimbas. The group provides marimba
teachers to schools, manufactures and supplies
marimba instruments, and operates a number of
performing marimba groups. ama-Ambush's vision is to
provide South African youth with opportunities to
play African music.
Through these opportunities they
will create an African music identity for
themselves, their school, their community and their
country, South Africa - bringing an "Africanness" to
schools and society across the cultural spectrum.
ama-Ambush seeks to develop the marimba music
culture so that it becomes an identifiable part of
being a South African.
ama-Ambush - The Band
ama-Ambush is a popular marimba band led by Ross
Johnson who has combined his Western music training
with his African music experience, to create an
energetic catchy sound that encourages listeners to
"join in".
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ama-Ambush -
Marimba, African Music, Function Band and Party Band
- Cape Town
