CODA

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Last updated 25 07 11

About Coda: 

One of the country’s best-loved and busiest bands, CODA combines Classical electric strings and Afro-jazz sax with exhilarating beats and sumptuous vocals. Their music at reflects the multiplicity and allure of South Africa. 

CODA’s wholly unique and distinctive sound has captivated audiences both locally and internationally and has gained immediate popularity amongst an astonishingly broad range of audiences – CODA’s diversity has resulted in a new style of South African music that appeals to audiences from Soweto to Paarl, from Gugulethu to Bloemfontein and from Dubai to the Seychelles.

CODA has entertained some of the country’s most eminent celebrities, business people and politicians, and their music has been known to get some of South Africa’s leading figures on the dance floor. CODA performed at FW de Klerk’s 70th birthday and was requested, personally, by Desmond Tutu to perform at his own 75th birthday event. 

Their soccer song ‘Blow Your Vuvuzela’ is fast becoming the unofficial anthem of the 2010 World Cup and CODA’s dancers are regularly enlisted to coach fans the Diski Dance. CODA rocked 30 000 guests at the SABC New Year party 2007 and has featured at South Africa’s premier events including Women of The Year, J & B Met, Durban July, Amphi 5, Best of Cape Town Awards, Miss South Africaetc. 

CODA was a finalist in the 2008 Best of Cape Town Awards under the category ‘Performing Artists’ alongside FreshlyGround, and was nominated as one of the country’s top five bands in the 2006 Top Billing/Lifestyle Awards. 

The group has performed at numerous high profile events and international events, including concerts (Jazzathon, Jazz on the Rocks, Home For All, Cape Town International Jazz Festival, Woman of the Year, Nederburg Concert Series, Paul Cluver Forest Amphitheatre), fashion shows (Cape Town Fashion Week, Durban Fashion Week), sports events (J&B; Met, Durban July) launch parties and government events. Internationally CODA has performed in the Seychelles (New Year 2006, October 2010), Zimbabwe (June 2011), Victoria Falls (March 2006) and Dubai (May 2007, April 2008) 

Coda is Zami Mdingi (vocals), Galina Juritz (electric violin), Carol Thorns (electric cello), Judy Brown (sax), Erefaan Pearce (DJ).

More about Coda: 

Widely loved for their vibrant live performances, CODA ranks right up there alongside the likes of Goldfish and Freshly Ground as one of the hottest bands in South Africa at the moment. 

CODA’s new album, African Renaissance, was launched at the party of the season last year and is rocking the airwaves of SA’s national radio stations such as 5 FM, KFM, Algoa, Heart, Good Hope, East Coast Radio etc.... African Renaissance encompasses CODA’s warm, energetic and classy fusion of Afro-Jazz, Urban Pop and Dance. 

With song names like Reach Out, Stand Together, Take Care and To Be African, CODA is all about positive newness in Africa - it's about being reawakened to the spirit of Africa, and about adopting an attitude that is as upbeat and full of energy as CODA’s sound.

CODA’s energetic live act gained immediate popularity amongst an astonishingly broad range of audiences – CODA’s diversity has resulted in a new style of South African music that appeals to audiences from Soweto to Paarl, from Gugulethu to Bloemfontein and from Dubai to the Seychelles. 

CODA was a finalist in the 2008 Best of Cape Town Awards under the category ‘Performing Artists’ alongside FreshlyGround, and was nominated as one of the country’s top five bands in the 2006 Top Billing/Lifestyle Awards. 

Coda has been described in the media as the ‘next big thing’ in the South African music industry. Says Bianca Coleman of the Cape Argus ‘CODA is just so hot right now…You simply cannot think about having a party without at least trying to sign them up for the evening’s entertainment…CODA is the city’s most in-demand band.’ 

John Bartmann of the music website Overtone, having recently attended a CODA performance with Arno Carstens, comments, ‘Coda is, quite simply, the hottest new act to hit the stage since FreshlyGround.’ 

CODA has entertained some of the country’s most eminent celebrities, business people and politicians, and their music has been known to get some of South Africa’s leading figures on the dance floor. CODA performed at FW de Klerk’s 70th birthday and was requested, personally, by Desmond Tutu to perform at his own 75th birthday event. 

The group has performed at numerous high profile events and international events, including concerts (Jazzathon, Jazz on the Rocks, Home For All, Cape Town International Jazz Festival, Woman of the Year, Nederburg Concert Series, Paul Cluver Forest Amphitheatre), fashion shows (Cape Town Fashion Week, Durban Fashion Week), sports events (J&B Met, Durban July) launch parties and government events. Internationally CODA has performed in the Seychelles (New Year 2006), Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls (March 2006) and Dubai (May 2007, April 2008)

Coda’s testimonials: 

“It is not often that anything can stop our group in their tracks. But the appearance of CODA caused our professional MC and the delegates to take a breath and their magnificent performance during our Friday evening Gala Dinner was a hit from the first song. The music they played was perfect and their professional show was completely appropriate for a special Gala evening for our Association” - Chris Zweigenthal, Chief Executive / Airines Association of Southern Africa. 

“CODA is just so hot right now…You simply cannot think about having a party without at least trying to sign them up for the evening’s entertainment…CODA is the city’s most in-demand band.” - Argus. 

“Coda is, quite simply, the hottest act to hit the stage since FreshlyGround.” - Overtone. 

“A VERY BIG thank you to all of you for the most professional and fantastic performance on Friday evening. It was truly a showcase that we were all so proud of being part of, and thank you so much for the part you played in making it so wonderful!” - Event organiser / FW de Klerk’s 70th birthday. 

‘We are so happy with the response from the CODA performances over the 3 days - thank you for the huge role you all played in the success of the Cape Town Whisky Live Festival!’ - Whisky Festival (CTICC). 

“We would like to thank you and the whole of Coda on your tremendous performances at the Flower Show. I have only received compliments on the entertainment on the show, with your band standing out at the event.”

- SAA Flower Festival 2005 (Lourensford) 

“Once again, THANK YOU so much for last week. You guys are awesome and

I have the greatest belief that you are going to go really far. I will keep on spreading the ‘Coda’ word.” - Peroni Launch, Rhodes House. 

“CODA are SA’s hottest Fusion Band - they really went down superbly - my clients are still raving about them. The band is made up of 4 beautiful girls (violin, vocalist, cello and sax) and a gorgeous male DJ. The instruments are electric so it has a classical feel but super vibed up. They have an incredible stage presence and know how to work the crowd! They play all originals and it is so different to anything I have heard before- which makes them even more out of the ordinary. Great for a background vibe or to get the party started”

- Candice Nethercott, Investec