Jack Lerole Jnr

            Sibusiso Lerole (Jack Lerole Jnr) – Master Penny Whistle Player and Heritage Keeper

Born in 1986 in Diepkloof, Soweto, Sibusiso Lerole, known professionally as Jack Lerole Jnr and formerly as Big Voice Jack Jnr, is celebrated as one of South Africa’s finest penny whistle players. Trained by the late Big Voice Jack Lerole, a legendary Kwela music maestro, Jack Lerole Jnr continues the rich legacy of South African township jazz.

Over his career, he has shared stages with acclaimed artists such as MXO, the African Jazz Pioneers, Moses Khumalo, Dolly Rathebe, and Dorothy Masuku. He was also featured in the documentary Jack Lerole alongside Dave Matthews.

In 2019, Jack Lerole Jnr proudly represented South Africa at the Young Euro Classic Festival in Berlin, performing alongside Lira and Nils Landgren to a sold-out audience at the Konzerthaus. That year, he also performed at the Moshito Music Festival, sharing the stage with MoAfrica and Jessica Mbangeni.

His extensive performance experience includes music clubs, corporate events such as the Spar Awards in Sun City, Pick n Pay’s 58th birthday, Nando’s Patrao in Drakensberg, the Johnnie Walker launch with Mark Manaka in Limpopo, and festivals like the Stanford Music Festival in the Western Cape.

Beyond performance, Jack Lerole Jnr is a dedicated penny whistle teacher and Micm Band Director at the Morris Isaacson Centre for Music in Soweto. In 2018, his penny whistle ensemble performed for both the South African and German Presidents in the same week.

Committed to preserving the heritage of the penny whistle, township jazz, and the legacy of Big Voice Jack Lerole, he has recently completed recording his debut album, Tribute to Jack Lerole. This album beautifully reflects the evolution of penny whistle styles, blending Kwela, Mbaqanga, and Root Jazz.

Jack Lerole Jnr honours his mentor and father figure in music, keeping the vibrant sound and spirit of South African township jazz alive for future generations.