Five Funky Fellas
@ Southbank Centre / The Ballroom
17 November 2007

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Claude Deppa biogrphy

At the forefront of the African jazz music scene is South African born trumpeter and composer Claude Deppa. Deppa can turn his hand to Afro-jazz, soul, funk, Afro-Cuban and even chamber music as well as many sub-genres. Deppa has worked with many bands and been on stage with renown stars such as Miriam Makeba, Manu Dibango, Tony Allen and Andy Sheppard in Britain (where he is presently based).

Deppa has also developed his own three special projects; African Jazz Explosion, Horns Unlimited and Five Funky Fellas. Each of these bands have featured at top venues and festivals including London's South Bank. Five Funky Fellas were on the Africa stage at the BBC Music Live festival over the Golden Jubilee Celebrations at London's Hyde Park in summer 2002.

Claude Deppa’s experience of life in South Africa and eventual transition to Britain in 1974 is documented in the book ‘Celebrating Sanctuary’, published in 2002. He says his family were all very musical and at first he learnt to play drums. At secondary school in London he decided the trumpet would be his main instrument, with it's loud punchy sound. Deppa attended a music school for a few months but found it did not suit the type of jazz he wanted to play. He quit, but continued receiving trumpet tuition privately and began playing in bands.

Deppa is a part of is the Grand Union Orchestra, which produces a variety of new and exciting cross-cultural shows and projects such as ‘Where the Rivers Meet’ and ‘The Call of Paradise’. Since 2004 Claude has led the brass section of Kinetica Bloco, a project which celebrates the music of the African Diaspora with themed summer schools and performances such as ‘Road to Freedom’.