By Umer Nangiana


Returning to Doha after a successful band music debut two years ago, the British Swing and Jazz music sensation, Mathew vanKan is once again bringing his “not-to-be-missed” music performance to town.
Performing at Dunes, Grand Hyatt on May 19, vanKan will render his voice to songs of legends like Sinatra, Nat King Cole and suchlike, a catalogue of tunes that have now come to define him as a singer honouring the music of entertaining legends.
Boasting himself as singer who “reads between the lines of the songs written by legends”, vanKan promises a refreshing spin on some of the most popular music ever written including nostalgic ballads, jazz standards, swing tunes and a few surprise song choices that will get you hooked.
vanKan performs in the UK and around the world at private parties, weddings, corporate events, international hotel functions and in a few exclusive venues open to the general public. Each of his songs tells a story, beautifully poignant, passionate, humorous or carefree, a nostalgic music that appeals to all generations.
vanKan quit his desk job of fifteen years to pursue a career in music. Accompanied by musical director and pianist Gabriel Mantell, exciting new talent Nick Ereaut on double bass, Gospel drummer Rueben Harsant and Bombay Bicycle Club regular Dan Berry on tenor sax the VANKAN Band performed for the first time together on New Year’s Eve 2013 to a 600 strong audience ‘Under The Stars’ in Doha at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.
They returned to London in January for their sold out debut show ‘Swinging Sunday’ at Pizza Express on Dean Street, entertained guests at The Earl of Wessex’s 50th Birthday party in the company of The Queen and now have monthly residencies in London at The Savoy, Rosewood Holborn and Century Club on Shaftesbury Avenue.
Combined with Mantell’s eclectic fusion of Gospel, Neo Soul, Funk and Jazz their slick and classy delivery of timeless songs, with emphasis on storytelling, subtle vocal nuances and beautiful phrasing, is now in high demand.
vanKan and the band of musicians have performed at occasions and places like the House Of Lords in the company of the Serbian royal family, a private event at the American embassy in London, Blenheim Palace, the Dorchester, the Savoy, London, an Evening with Matthew vanKan at W Doha Hotel, Qatar, Grand Hyatt Muscat, Oman, Altitude 360 in London for Coca Cola, The Club at The Ivy, London for the Albert Kennedy Trust and many others.
At the same venue two days later on May 21, prominent London-born South African origin Jazz singer Nicola Emmanuelle will enthral the audience with her sparkling voice.
Nicola’s talents have been obvious for some time to the many artistes, producers and musical directors who have been using her crystalline voice for studio albums, film and television work.
Working in the studio writing new and original material with a number of co-writers and performing regularly at the Beaufort Bar at the Savoy and live around London and the South of England with her band of Peter Edwards, Yuri and Saleem Raman, this British singer has a sensational set of songs evoking the work and sound of the original jazz pioneers of the thirties, forties and fifties, along with stunning and beautiful renditions of some of the all-time great jazz standards.
Nicola comes from a South African jazz dynasty. Her Father Nathan Dambuza Mdledle was the founder and lead singer of the Manhattan Brothers and a hall of famer, and her Mother Louisa Manuel was also in the South African hall of fame, a singer with the Woodpeckers.
Nicola has worked with some of the finest and most well-known artistes, directors and performers in the music and film industries including George Fenton, Lord Attenborough, Mike Oldfield, Pete Townsend, the LSO and the Royal philharmonic to name just a few.
Her understanding of the feel and swing of the best of the past, and her own contemporary iconic style and individuality adds to and supports a voice of mesmerising purity and beauty.
Comfortable in all types of live situations, Nicola makes a speciality of singing accapella and is capable of incredible scat solos when the mood takes her.