Current projects

Africa Open Improvising is a pioneering South African music collective that explores the transformative potential of free improvising as music endeavour. By engaging musicians, audiences, and the broader sonic environment of Stellenbosch University, the collective fosters interdisciplinary innovation. The collective is affiliated with the Africa Open Institute for Music, Research, and Innovation at Stellenbosch University and is renowned for its unique blend of diverse artistic traditions and free-form experimentation, promoting collaborative exploration across various creative and academic fields. 

Launched in March 2020, Africa Open Improvising adapted to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic by expanding its activities through a range of innovative, interdisciplinary projects. 

The core of the collective’s ethos lies in fostering an open, inclusive space for sonic exploration. By embracing free improvisational music, Africa Open Improvising encourages postures of deep listening and interplay. Musicians from diverse backgrounds—including self-taught artists, as well as classical, jazz, and experimental musicians—contribute to tapestries of sound. A variety of instruments, from indigenous and self-made to classical Western instruments, come together in these sessions. 

Inclusivity is a foundational principle, with open invitations for anyone to participate and audiences welcomed to attend. This creates an environment focused on sonic curiosity, experimentation, and collective creativity. Collaborative exchanges are often fluid and spontaneous, incorporating inputs from visual artists, dancers, and academic researchers.