An intimate session with jazz pianist Nduduzo Makhathini ended on a high note when a fan suggested everyone in the audience vote for the Metro FM Music award nominee on the spot – and the crowd obliged.“It really made me feel good. I can be very shy at times, especially with things like votes. I think for a musician it’s not an easy space to operate in, to campaign,” said Makhathini.
At the end of his Valentine’s jazz show at the Velvet Jazz Lounge on Latimer’s Landing on Friday, a fan suggested the audience cast their votes for the musician on the spot.
Everyone in the audience pulled out their phones and cast a vote.
Makhathini has been shortlisted in the Best Urban Jazz category for his third album, Listening to the Ground.
He played two sets on the day, including covers from some of his African inspirations.
The 2015 Standard Bank Young Artist award winner in the jazz category said the double-disc, 16-track album featured artists from Norway, Senegal, Sudan, Paris, and some South African artists including his wife, Omagugu, as a vocalist.
Makhathini said the album was special to him because of its narrative.
“What makes it special to me is that it’s a tribute to my ancestors and to the African soil. That even though so much has been taken from our soil, we are still fertile.”
The manager of Eastern Cape Audio Visual Centre exhibited enchanting finger work with surreal melodies leading some in the audience to whistle, scream, smile and clap from the effects of the music.
Makhatini punctuated his songs with stories about who he was, which, heard against the backdrop of the music, gave a vivid picture of the man behind the music and his intent with each melody.
He received a standing ovation at the end of the night.
Listening to the Ground has tribute tracks to Fela Kuti, Busi Mhlongo, John Coltrane, Makhathini’s mother and ancestors, among others.
Makhathini, who has four albums, will be releasing a fifth, iXilongo, next month.
iXilongo is a horn, more like a trumpet call with a strong biblical reference.
“In the Bible, every time the trumpet sounded it signaled a turning point. Africa is going through so much, and there’s a need for that call again.”
Makhathini said the new album is motivational, playful, spiritual, futuristic, and influenced by church music; “it’s another side of me that maybe people haven’t heard yet. It has a lot to do with who I am and where I come from.” — vuyiswav@disptach.co.za
Enchanted fans vote for jazz maestro
“It really made me feel good. I can be very shy at times, especially with things like votes. I think for a musician it’s not an easy space to operate in, to campaign,” said Makhathini.
At the end of his Valentine’s jazz show at the Velvet Jazz Lounge on Latimer’s Landing on Friday, a fan suggested the audience cast their votes for the musician on the spot.
Everyone in the audience pulled out their phones and cast a vote.
Makhathini has been shortlisted in the Best Urban Jazz category for his third album, Listening to the Ground.
He played two sets on the day, including covers from some of his African inspirations.
The 2015 Standard Bank Young Artist award winner in the jazz category said the double-disc, 16-track album featured artists from Norway, Senegal, Sudan, Paris, and some South African artists including his wife, Omagugu, as a vocalist.
Makhathini said the album was special to him because of its narrative.
“What makes it special to me is that it’s a tribute to my ancestors and to the African soil. That even though so much has been taken from our soil, we are still fertile.”
The manager of Eastern Cape Audio Visual Centre exhibited enchanting finger work with surreal melodies leading some in the audience to whistle, scream, smile and clap from the effects of the music.
Makhatini punctuated his songs with stories about who he was, which, heard against the backdrop of the music, gave a vivid picture of the man behind the music and his intent with each melody.
He received a standing ovation at the end of the night.
Listening to the Ground has tribute tracks to Fela Kuti, Busi Mhlongo, John Coltrane, Makhathini’s mother and ancestors, among others.
Makhathini, who has four albums, will be releasing a fifth, iXilongo, next month.
iXilongo is a horn, more like a trumpet call with a strong biblical reference.
“In the Bible, every time the trumpet sounded it signaled a turning point. Africa is going through so much, and there’s a need for that call again.”
Makhathini said the new album is motivational, playful, spiritual, futuristic, and influenced by church music; “it’s another side of me that maybe people haven’t heard yet. It has a lot to do with who I am and where I come from.” — vuyiswav@disptach.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos