Sean Sanby

Sean Sanby is a Cape Town-based composer, producer, bassist, and educator whose music moves between worlds — from intimate, narrative-driven compositions to the stages of some of Africa’s and the world’s most celebrated artists. Rooted in South Africa’s rich musical culture, Sean’s sound has been shaped by years of immersion in some of the country’s most vibrant ensembles and big bands. Over a decade of work — spanning local stages, international touring, and major theatre productions including Matilda and School of Rock — has established Sean as one of South Africa’s most versatile and in-demand musicians. Sean has collaborated across jazz, afrobeats, pop, and theatre, with artists including Hilton Schilder, Mandisi Dyantyis, Louis Mhlanga, Sisonke Xonti, Mark Fransman, Manana, Asher Gamedze, Reza Khota, Vuma Levin, ASA, Fireboy DML, Deff Eff, Jitsvinger, the CPO, Darren English, Blake Hellaby, Muneeb Hermans, and many more — bringing the same musical instinct and attentiveness to every context. Recognised as a distinctive talent, Sean graduated with a BMus in Jazz Performance (cum laude), and went on to win the FMR Bursary Trust Award (2018) and the UNISA National Strings Competition (2021). His debut album, Out of the Candlelight (2020), draws on the full spectrum of that experience. Nominated for a Mzansi Jazz Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album, it carries the same storytelling sensibility he brings to every session and collaboration: cinematic, personal, and alive. Beyond performing and recording, Sean’s work extends into multimedia across design, video, and audio production, into the spaces where music lives. As Founder and Creative Director of SeekArt (Pty) Ltd, he curates gigs, shows, and experiences that connect musicians, artists, and audiences. He is also the Electric Bass, Double Bass, and Ensemble Lecturer at the South African College of Music (SACM), UCT.