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Benjamin Jephta

Benjamin Jephta (born 14 July 1992) is a South African bassist and composer known for his contributions to both the jazz and popular music scenes.

Education, Early Life & Career

Jephta graduated from the jazz program at the South African College of Music at the University of Cape Town in 2013, where he honed his skills as a bassist and performer. He furthered his studies at the Berklee Global Jazz Institute in Boston, USA, earning a Masters degree.

Since the age of 14, Jephta has been performing both nationally and internationally. He has collaborated with renowned South African jazz musicians including Hugh Masekela and Sibongile Khumalo. Jephta has released three albums as a bandleader, receiving multiple award nominations and wins. His work has been praised for its innovative blend of jazz tradition and contemporary influences.

In addition to his jazz endeavors, Jephta is actively involved in the South African hip-hop and pop scenes. He has appeared on television programs such as The Voice SA and Dancing with the Stars SA, and serves as the musical director for the late-night show The Bantu Hour on SABC 2. Jephta's talent has also taken him to New York City, where he has performed with acclaimed musicians including Danilo Perez, Terri-lyne Carrington, and Dianne Reeves.

He is currently based in Johannesburg, Jephta is a performer, film/TV composer, and lecturer in Jazz Studies and Film Composition at the University of Witwatersrand.

Awards & Honors

Jephta has been recognized as a leading figure in the contemporary jazz scene. The Mail & Guardian named him one of their 200 Young South Africans, highlighting his contributions to music and education. Notable achievements include receiving the prestigious Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz award in 2017 and the South African Music Award and MetroFm award nominations for his albums.

He has also placed in the top of the prestigious SAMRO Overseas Scholarship Competition and UNISA International Strings Competition.

His work has been praised for its innovative blend of jazz tradition and contemporary influences. Reviewing his sophomore album "An Evolution of an Undefined," Downbeat online praised Jephta's ability to blend tradition with innovation, stating, "This new recording plays like contorted sketches from the notepad of an artist hell-bent on defining a sound and identity of his own. Yet, it’s a sound that brandishes remnants of the jazz tradition."

Artistic Ethos & Influences

Jephta's artistic vision is deeply rooted in telling the stories of people of colour, particularly those within his own community in post-Apartheid, democratic South Africa. He seeks to explore and dissect the complex issues surrounding identity, transformation, and relationships within the context of his experience as a so-called 'Coloured' individual.

In his latest work, "Born Coloured not Born-Free," Jephta delves into his personal journey and the societal constructs that shape the coloured identity in South Africa. Through this project, he aims to provoke thought and conversation around important themes such as transformation, the coloured identity, the coloured and black relationship, and the coloured mentality. Rather than taking a radical political approach, Jephta's music strives to inspire hope, empowerment, and unity within the South African experience.

Jephta's compositions draw from a rich tapestry of musical influences, incorporating elements of traditional South African styles such as Ghoema/Cape Jazz and Marabi music. Additionally, he incorporates modern African music idioms such as Gqom (a style of 'house' music), kwaito, and hip-hop, creating a unique and dynamic sound that reflects the diverse cultural landscape of South Africa.