TransAtlantic Jazz Exchange Bridges US and South African Music Cultures

The picturesque country of South Africa, with its fertile vineyards, growling game reserves and astounding view of Table Mountain overlooking Cape Town, is a major draw for any tourist.  

But American jazz musicians are being drawn to the motherland by TransAtlantic Jazz Exchange (TAJE), a non-profit organization based in South Africa, for a more creative reason to experience another aspect of South African pride, its historical cultural music roots. 

TAJE CEO Nasia Seria said the organization’s goal is to connect musicians from the United States and the African diaspora to foster “excellence, cultural dialogue, and economic opportunity.”

“Founded on the principles of collaboration, education, and inclusivity, TAJE bridges communities through heritage music, youth engagement, and cultural exchange — creating pathways for social impact and sustained creative growth,” said Seria. 

Since its inception three years ago, TAJE is committed to empowering the next generation of jazz artists and enthusiasts while promoting cultural exchange and creative expression between South Africa and the United States. TAJE celebrates the shared history and diversity of jazz as a universal art form that transcends borders, unites cultures, and fosters social connection. 

The first recipient of TAJE’s two-week residency in the United States was South African award-winning multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer Mark Fransman. During his intensive New York City residency, he had the rare opportunity to perform at the Jazz Power Initiative fundraiser and an impromptu Jazzmobile appearance with pianist Danny Mixon. He experienced some exciting nights of Harlem jam sessions at historical sites such as the New Amsterdam Music Association (NAMA), and American Legion Post 398. 

On a quick two-day trip to Hartford, Connecticut, he led a pickup jazz band of local musicians and students at the popular club Black-Eyed Sally’s. Earlier that day, he conducted master classes and instrumental workshops, exchanging ideas with students on South African music and its relationship to American jazz at the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz-University of Hartford.  

“This was my first time in the United States, so this residency in New York City, especially in Harlem, was a great learning experience. It was so cool to meet cats that I had only known from their recordings like Rodney Kendrick, James Hurt, Will Calhoun, Dick Griffin, Ravi Coltrane, and the great Warren Smith,” exclaimed Fransman. “Exchanging musical concepts, playing, and talking about the history of Harlem and how it relates to South African history was most memorable for me.” 

The following year, saxophonist, flautist, and composer Rene McLean (Creative Director of Music & Education for TAJE) became the first American musician to receive a TAJE residency in South Africa. For him this residency was more of a homecoming. He had previously recorded and toured with South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela before relocating to the country to take a position at the University of Cape Town. 

As McLean led workshops and master classes at Wits University and village schools (in both Johannesburg and Cape Town), he was overjoyed to work with some of his former students, who had become prominent in academia, music program directors and professional musicians like Fransman and Chantel Willie-Petersen. 

In between the constant activity of McLean’s residency, TAJE co-founders, South African businesswoman Seria and journalist/lecturer Ron Scott, hosted a rousing reception for Newark’s WBGO jazz radio station fans during their annual Joy of Jazz Festival, South African tour. The reception morphed into a roaring jam session with vibraphonist Stefon Harris and WBGO host and its tour guide Lezlie Harrison along with an A list of local musicians.    

TAJE sailed into its third year with its first grant from the South African government. This funding seeded the TAJE Master Class Series, which featured 16 accomplished jazz educators and musicians from both South Africa and the United States. 

The series of in-person and virtual workshops took place in such marginalized communities as Johnny Mekoa School in Bennoni, S.A., to trumpeter Ahmed Abdullah’s home in Brooklyn, NY, SA. The series streamed around the world included participants from Ghana, Italy to California, and New York City. 

During the Master class series, the young virtuoso drummer and composer Kojo Melche Roney and saxophonist/composer Antione Roney began their TAJE residency in South Africa. The fast-paced residency kept the father and son duo busy with village concerts, workshops and music classes in schools (adolescents to university music majors) in Cape Town, Pretoria and Johannesburg. 

For many village folks, this was a rare occasion for them to see live concerts, and most exciting to see their children perform with renowned American and South African musicians.   

This first grant from the government has allowed TAJE to extend their residency program by offering more live concerts to the villages and larger community. but most importantly,  it has allowed the non-profit to reach more young music students, aspiring college students and established musicians. It is an intergenerational exchange of American and South African cultures. 

“It’s such a great feeling to see American musicians engaged with our younger students, and the smiles on their faces, it’s a real cultural exchange, just what we are striving for,” noted Seria in a phone interview. 

For more information, to donate, or get involved with their programs, visit the website taje.org.za