About
AFROSPACE INTERCHANGE is a collective of Melbourne musicians, formed to explore and celebrate the rich tradition of South African Jazz. The group coalesce around the extraordinary rhythmic impetus of drummer Brian Abrahams (Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, Abdullah Ibrahim, Dewey Redman, Archie Shepp) and his legacy as a living legend of this art form. Joining Abrahams in the core seven-piece band is Kasinda Faase (flute), Nic Ryan-Glenie (trumpet), Ron Romero (tenor saxophone), Leon Stenning (guitar), Pat Jaffe (keyboards) and Zvi Belling (bass), as well as dynamic vocalist/violinist Fem Belling.Over the past three years, the band has honed its sound through a weekly Wednesday night residency at Old Plates Record Bar in Fitzroy. The residency has quickly established cult status as one of the city's most joyous and exciting musical hang-outs. Each week, the house band, co-led by bassist Zvi Belling and pianist Pat Jaffe, is joined by a diverse range of weekly guests, creating a cultural exchange between Australian and South African improvisers. Over 150 guests have now featured, including South Africa’s Jason Reolon and Sello Molefi, Isaiah Collier, touring members of the UK band Cymande, and stalwarts of the Melbourne scene such as Nkechi Anele, Scott Tinkler, Audrey Powne, Julien Wilson, Angela Davis and Eugene Ball.AFROSPACE INTERCHANGE launched their debut album ‘Old Plates’ in May 2025, a record of the first two years of the band’s joyous Wednesday night residency. A live 7" record will be released in mid-2026, followed by the band’s second album ‘Sumbandila’.AFROSPACE INTERCHANGE has also performed at the Brunswick Music Festival, the Castlemaine Jazz Festival and the Geelong Jazz Festival, and has played sold-out shows at the Melbourne Recital Centre and WAX Music Lounge.
Old Plates
Now available on Vinyl, Bandcamp and Streaming Services
AFROSPACE INTERCHANGE launched their debut album ‘Old Plates’ in May 2025, through REARear Records. The album is a celebration of the first two years of the band’s joyous Wednesday night residency at Old Plates Record Bar.The record's two sides 'HERE' and 'THERE' capture the original music workshopped through the residency, and pay homage to the masters of South African jazz. The cover art by Anton Zalewski emerged from a live drawing on a Wednesday night at Old Plates, and the vinyl release features liner notes telling the story of the band, by Pat Jaffe.It features some of Melbourne’s most exciting young improvisers, Flora Carbo, Andrew Saragossi, Callum Mintzis, Zac O’Connell and John Bennett, as well as vocalist Sandile Gontsana (South Africa/UK).
BOOKINGS
For more information on the band, please see our Electronic Press Kit, which includes member biographies.For any press or live booking enquiries, please contact Zvi Belling ([email protected]).
UPCOMING SHOWS
Every Wednesday, 8pm
Afrospace Interchange Residency @ Old Plates, FitzroySunday 1 March, 5pm
Brunswick Music Festival:
Sydney Road Street Party - Free entrySat 16 June, 6:10pm
Castlemaine Jazz Festival @ Castlemaine Goods Shed
Details/ticketsSun 17 June, 3:00pm
Port Melbourne Music Crawl @ The Exchange Hotel
Details/tickets
***More events coming soon - Follow us to find out first! ***
Contact
[email protected]
© Afrospace Interchange 2026. All rights reserved.