Composer, pianist takes a journey back to his musical roots
Renowned South African pianist and composer Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane embarks on a journey to his artistic musical roots with a special Izibongo concert in Durban.
The performance will take place on Wednesday July 31 at the Centre for Jazz at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). It reunites Mashiloane with the very band that brought his critically acclaimed album, Izibongo, to life.
Mashiloane is recognised as an authority on South African music, specifically jazz. He is a prolific artist and has released an album every year since 2016, garnering numerous awards and nominations.
His collaborations with top South African musicians span a decade, and his performances have captivated audiences worldwide, including getting the recent honour to compose a suite titled “Isigqi” for Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra.
Mashiloane will also be performing at the upcoming prestigious Joy of Jazz festival in September 2024. He said 2024 has been a landmark year for him, with the completion of his PhD research and a prestigious Humanities and Social Sciences award win for his album Music From My People.
Izibongo, which translates to “praises” in Zulu, has enjoyed a global success and Mashiloane says he is eager to share his music with the Durban community who have nurtured him throughout his career.
“Durban has always been a source of immense support,” he said. “This concert is a chance to express my deepest gratitude and share the music of Izibongo with the people who have inspired me.”
Izibongo is a powerful exploration that seamlessly blends traditional South African instruments with piano, saxophone, double bass, percussion, and drums.
Drawing on his cultural roots and the wisdom of his ancestors, Mashiloane creates a tapestry of sound that celebrates African musical traditions. The album’s title is derived from the instructive Bantu verb “bonga,” which signifies giving thanks, Mashiloane said.
Mashiloane’ band features Sisonke Xonti on tenor saxophone, Kagiso Ramela on alto saxophone, Dalisu Ndlazi on double bass, Tlale Makhene on percussion, and Siphelelo Mazibuko on drums.
“My compositional choices for Izibongo were informed by traditional teachings that emphasise the use of music to convey symbolic and cultural meanings. The extended musical pieces, such as the 15-minute Ntate Mashiloane, eschew traditional genres and embrace a ‘prayer mode’ of improvisation, filled with honest and transcendent spiritual experiences. Izibongo is a testament to the power of music as a generational, shared experience, fostering a sense of communication, belonging, and appreciation for the geographical essence of music,” Mashiloane said.
The performance will be staged on Wednesday July 31 at the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music at UKZN. Tickets cost R120 (general), R90 (pensioners), R60 (students).
Book through Webtickets.
