Carla Stokes
PROFESSIONAL SAXOPHONIST | SESSION MUSICIAN | PRODUCER
ABOUT ME
CARLA STOKES
Graduate of the University of Cape Town’s South African College of Music
2018: BMus degree in Jazz Performance (UCT)
2019: Postgraduate Certificate in Education in Music (UCT)
My musical journey started with training in classical clarinet from age eight, piano at age twelve, and tenor saxophone at age thirteen. I have been gigging since age fifteen and have performed in various bands in and around Cape Town, to name a few: The UCT Big Band, The Lady Day Big Band, The UCT Alumni Big Band, The Mike Campbell Big Band, Los Tacos, Melorie Jane Quintet, CODA Africa (Red Cello), and Crimson House. These include traditional big bands, combo jazz bands, rock and pop bands, solo saxophone, as well as performing on saxophone alongside DJs.
I have performed in countless band settings and have immersed myself in various styles of music. In 2019 I performed at The Cape Town International Jazz Festival as tenor saxophone one in the Lady Day Big Band, and in 2017 and 2018 performed at the Standard Bank National Jazz Festival in the UCT Big Band. In 2020, I taught myself Ableton Live and basic music production and have released three original singles since. My self-produced original music is available on all streaming platforms and has influences of jazz saxophone fused with electronic styles of music.
Today, I actively perform at many corporate functions, weddings, and other events as a solo saxophonist and bandleader. I also feature as a saxophonist in various other bands. I have performed alongside electric cellis, Carol Thorns (from Red Cello Productions) at events at prestigious locations in and around Cape Town. i.e. The Zeitz Mocaa Museum, The CTICC, Century City Conference Centre, and Grande Provence Wine Estate. I have also performed at many corporate events as a solo saxophonist, most notably performing for Porsche South Africa in 2022.
I have performed at a number of weddings and public events at some of Cape Town’s most beautiful venues such as The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, The V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre, Harrington’s Cocktail Lounge, Hotel Sky, The Grand Beach Cafe, Constantia Glen Wine Estate, Mirage Yachts, among countless others.
I hope to give you a little sonic escape from the pressures of daily life, if only for a couple of minutes, and hope you'll leave feeling uplifted.
Discography
Comes in Waves
26 June 2022
Sunday Afternoon
23 April 2021
Modern Love
2020
