From blowing his trumpet in the Klopse to blending that vibrant street culture into a distinctive jazz sound, Muneeb Hermans, 30, from Hanover Park, has turned tradition into triumph—now set to headline his own project at the prestigious Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF).
Hermans first picked up the trumpet at around age 11, after joining the Kaapse Klopse (Cape Minstrels).
“The first year I was walking with the umbrella,” Hermans recalled, laughing.“The next year, that trumpet was in my hands—and that’s where the journey really started.”
While the Klopse is sometimes met with criticism, for Hermans, it was his launch pad.
“A lot of people focus on the negative, but that’s where I found music,” Hermans said.
“It’s all about what you make with your God given talent.”
Today, Hermans fuses his Cape heritage — complete with Ghoema rhythms—with traditional American jazz, creating a sound that’s as personal as it is powerful.
“Every composition starts at the piano,” Hermans explained. “That’s where the music comes alive.”
Hermans credits his music teacher at Alexander Sinton High, Ronel Wagfal, for setting him on course.
“She pushed me in a whole new direction. In grade 10, it just clicked—I knew this was it.”
After completing his jazz performance diploma at UCT (2013–2016), Hermans set ambitious goals.
“When I went to university, I told myself—this is it. God gave me this talent, and I’m going to give it everything,” he said.
“I told myself in five or ten years, I’ll be travelling and playing big stages. Some of those dreams came true even earlier.”
By 2014, Hermans had already performed in New York. His first professional gig at the Jazz Fest was with the late, great Errol Dyers.
Now, it’s his own name lighting up the line-up—and he couldn’t be more thrilled.
“To be performing at CTIJF with my own project, under my own name—man, it’s special. I’ve always dreamt of this moment,” Hermans said with a smile. “It’s home, and I’m repping myself and my people.”
Hermans’ debut album One for HP is dedicated to his community.
“People who stream the album will know that Hanover Park sound—but I’ve jazzed it up,” he said. “It’s a fusion of Cape Town soul and traditional jazz standards.”
Despite the international stages and big-name collaborations—including the likes of Hilton Schilder— Hermans remains rooted in teaching.
He currently shares his knowledge with young brass players at Wynberg Girls’ High and St Joseph’s Marist College.
“I love teaching. It’s a way to give back and keep the music alive,” Hermans said. “Coming from the hood isn’t easy. But the hood teaches you how to connect, how to hustle. If it wasn’t for that, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
His advice to aspiring musicians? “Just keep pushing. If you’ve got a dream, find someone to guide you — don’t try to do it alone. It’s a bit of luck, but mostly hard work.”
With a trumpet in hand and Hanover Park in his heart, Hermans is blowing open doors—one note at a time.
tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za
Weekend Argus