Iconic Cape Town Band JUST US Celebrates 25 Years with Reunion Event

For the past 25 years, the Just Us band has been a familiar name on Cape Town’s live music circuit, entertaining audiences with its blend of jazz, funk, soul, pop and dance favourites. Along the way, the group has become much more than a performing band. It has served as a launching pad for countless musicians, a gathering place for creative talent, and a fixture of the city’s vibrant live entertainment scene.

Having held residencies at venues such as West End, G-Spot, and Swingers, to name the more prominent ones among the many others, the band was at one point in such high demand that it was playing at three different venues on any given Saturday.

Now, the band is preparing to celebrate a remarkable milestone with a special 25^th Year reunion event that will bring together founding members, long-time performers and special guests for an afternoon of music and memories.

The Just Us band will mark its 25th year with the Just Us & Friends Celebration Jazz Matinee at the Claremont Civic Centre on Sunday, 14 June. Taking place from 14h00 to 20h00, the celebration is aimed at mature music lovers and promises an afternoon filled with nostalgia and timeless grooves performed by some of the musicians who helped build the band’s enduring legacy.

A Band Built on Musical Excellence

Just Us was founded by husband-and-wife team Charmaine and Karriem Darries, who assembled a talented group of musicians that included bassist Jacques Engelbrecht, keyboard player Errol Stephanus and guitarist Villa Brown. When Villa Brown moved on to pursue other opportunities, guitarist Nazeem Brown stepped into the lineup and would later take over as musical director following Karriem Darries’ departure.

From the beginning, the band’s reputation was built on the quality of its musicianship. Vocalists were expected to perform alongside highly skilled instrumentalists, creating a standard of excellence that became a hallmark of the group.

According to long-time member TJ Simon aka Teejay Simon, the percussionist and vocalist who joined the band shortly after its formation and to this day remains part of the lineup, every lead vocalist who stepped into the spotlight was challenged to match the band’s exceptional musical standards.

Simon recalls that traditionally the group was always fronted by strong female vocalists, beginning with Charmaine Darries, whose powerful voice and impressive range helped establish the band’s identity. He compared the dynamic to the legendary American funk and soul band Rufus and its iconic lead singer, Chaka Khan.

For many years now Charmaine Darries is travelling the world entertaining passengers on international cruise ships, and TJ Simon says that her break, visiting home in between her tours,
gave them the perfect opportunity to arrange it that the 25^th year reunion event would fit into her schedule.

Just Us Became a Training Ground for Talent

While audiences came to know Just Us for its polished performances, many musicians came to know it as an institution of learning. Over the years, a steady stream of performers passed through the band, gaining valuable experience before going on to establish their own projects.

After stepping up to become the musical director, Nazeem Brown, one of Cape Town’s most versatile guitarists, now with well over 45 years of experience in the music industry, brought a new dynamic to the group. Having played and recorded with the likes of Robbie Jansen, Sammy Webber, Taliep Petersen and Alistair Izobel, Brown remains sought after as both a live performer and studio session musician.

While ensuring that over the years that the band maintained a consistently high quality standard, Nazeem Brown has built a reputation of mentoring musicians for who Just Us became their training ground to hone their skills and grow their music industry careers.

That role as a training ground for local talent has become one of the band’s most important contributions to Cape Town’s music scene. Generations of performers have shared the stage with Just Us, learning the discipline, versatility and professionalism required to succeed in the industry.

Just Us Honouring Friends and Memories

The band’s influence can also be measured by the calibre of musicians who have been associated with it, and indeed that is reflected in the lineup for this special event. Throughout its history, members have worked alongside some of South Africa’s most respected performers, while the band itself has shared stages with international artists including Simply Red and Kenny Thomas.

The Just Us 25^th year anniversary event is not only a celebration of longevity but also a tribute to those who helped shape the band’s story and are no longer with us.

Teejay Simon said many former members and friends who contributed to the band’s journey have since passed away, but remain part of its collective memory.
“A lot of members and friends are not with us anymore but will forever be in our thoughts and dreams and in our hearts,” he said.

Founder, and first musical director of Just Us, the drummer Karriem Darries, went on to make waves in the Durban Jazz, funk and fusion scene. The well-loved and respected drummer sadly passed away in Durban in 2016, and shortly after his passing, Uncle Cal hailed Karriem Darries as a world-class Groove Keeper at a memorial event held at Swingers in Wetton, Cape Town.

Also among those remembered is respected bassist and vocalist Bentley Marcus Brown, whose passing in 2023 left a significant void in the local music community.
In 2024 the Cape Town music scene lost another one of its beloved musicians, Larnelle Gordon, who was a core member and drummer of Just Us.

The Just Us & Friends Celebration will provide an opportunity to honour their memories and that of other late members of the band, as well as recognise the contributions of many others who helped build the Just Us legacy over the years.

Stellar Lineup of Musicians & Legendary DJ Uncle Cal

Current members joining the celebration include Nazeem Brown on guitar, Errol Stephanus on keyboards, Jacques Engelbrecht on bass, Ashwin Daniels on drums, Charmaine Darries on lead vocals and Teejay Simon on lead vocals. They will be joined by guest artists including Jaco Maria, Sade Von S, Lynette Reid, Allou April, Glyn Veldsman, Ricky Kleinsmith and Selwyn Lombard
Fittingly, legendary DJ Uncle Cal will keeping the atmosphere alive between performances.

Uncle Cal aka Calvin Peters, in fact, has a long association with the band Just Us. Being co-owner and in charge of the entertainment lineup of Generations Café, aka G-Spot Leisure Lounge, Calvin Peters early on secured the band a residency at the G-Spot. Since the closure of the G-Spot over a decade ago, as an event organiser, promoter and DJ, Uncle Cal has on many occasions again worked with Just Us, and continues to include individual current and past members in the line-ups of his events that include Jazz On The Lawn and the Matroosfontein Jazz Reunion.

Get Grooving at the Just Us & Friends 25 Year Celebration Jazz Matinee

For those who have followed the band’s journey over the past quarter century, the Just Us & Friends Celebration Jazz Matinee event promises to be more than a concert. It will be a reunion, a celebration of friendship and musicianship, and a reminder of the important role Just Us has played in nurturing talent and bringing people together through music.

See you at the Just Us & Friends Celebration Jazz Matinee on Sunday, 14 June 2026.

📌 Claremont Civic Centre, 231 Main Rd, Claremont, Cape Town.

🕑 The event runs from 14h00 – 20h00.

Bring Your Own Drinks & Snacks
Tickets: R150 via Webtickets | R180 at the door

📲 Book on Webtickets