Estelle Kokot

Estelle Kokot is a UK born internationally respected South African singer, songwriter and pianist.
'Powerful and soulful, her music is often vividly surprising, seductively poetic and unquestionably all her own' The Guardian & The Times.
Receiving rave reviews in venues ranging from the jazz clubs and festivals of South Africa to the UK and Europe.
'Kokot's sweetly melodic voice sets the audience on fire as she sets the keyboard ablaze' Tebogo Alexander & The Star Tonight
Fikile-Ntsikelelo Moya has described her as being 'out there with the best jazz vocalists in the world'.
Estelle made her debut with South African jazz super group Phambili in 1987 at Kippies Jazz Club and went on to guest regularly with South African World Music Stars Bayete.
During this time she also appeared with Barney Rachebane and Victor Ntoni at the A Train Jazz Club in Soweto.
In 1988 Kokot joined Rush Hour. Their album 'The Perfect Way' topped the charts on radio stations in South Africa and the band embarked on a successful tour of the club, festival and concert circuit. Critics described the album as 'nothing short of stunning' Bongani Hlatshwayo
After her success with Rush Hour Estelle went solo working on a variety of projects including a daring bass and vocal duo called 'No Place to Hide'.
Several full house runs at Kippies Jazz Club followed alongside talents like Canadian trumpeter Bruce Cassidy in a project called 'Collaboration' and South African saxophonist Mike Makhalemele.
With her music creating such a buzz Estelle was invited to open a new venue in Cape Town called Eauver The Top. The brainchild of South Africa actor Chris Ban Niekerk, her solo show 'Beyond the Blues to Brazil' played to packed houses and she also featured as a guest in 5 Big Band Jazz Galas at Pretoria's State Theatre.
After establishing herself as an esteemed solo artist on the live scene, Estelle released two studio albums 'Alternative Therapy' (1999) and 'Information' (2007).
'Where Is The Rainbow' a song from the album 'Information' featured on a South African TV series 'A Place Called Home'. Other tracks were used on a popular Australian television drama.
'I Don't Know You Anymore' co-written by award winning producer Craigie Dodds, is featured on South Africa's Strictly Come Dancing 2008 winner Emmanuel Castis debut album 'South of Nowhere'.
In March 2007 Estelle became Sony ATV's first writer to receive a nomination for a prestigious SAMA (South African Musicians' Award) for her album 'Information' in the 'Best Vocal Jazz Album' category.
A performance at Jazz on the Lake in Johannesburg followed. Other appearances included Kippies Jazz Club International and the Jazz Leadership Concert Series with her South African line uup.
UK based Kokot is a well-respected figure on the London jazz scene.
On top of her collaborative work as an artist, current and future projects include sharing her knowledge and expertise mentoring young up and coming singer-songwriters and composers.
Estelle plans to release recordings of out-takes and demos from her vast back catalogue of songs. She would also like to work on an album with English poet Mark Hillman.
Kokot is currently planning a nationwide tour of South Africa between July and September 2012.
Dates, line-up and details TBA.
'South Africa, here is a real jazz singer' Don Albert
'Catch one of South Africa's premier jazz voices in full fantastic flight' Jeremy Dowson
'Don't miss it!' The Cape Times