DURBAN - DURBAN pianist and composer Sibusiso "Mash" Mashiloane will play a “send off” concert in his city before heading to the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
This week, Mashiloane who has put his own stamp on African jazz, said: “As a proudly South African musician, I am really thankful for the opportunity to be part of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) 2018. The joy I have is beyond description.”
His Durban show will be at The Chairman Jazz Lounge in Mahatma Gandhi Road on Friday, March 23, and the CTIJF gig is on March 24.
“Jazz lovers must be ready to fall in love with jazz again. I believe music is for everybody to join in, so people must be prepared to dance and sing,” he said.
His whole 7-piece band will gather for both shows: joining Mashiloane on keys will be Riley Giandhari on drums, Tlale Makhene on percussion, Dalisu Ndlazi on bass guitar, Zoetheseed on vocals, Thami Mamhlangu on saxophone and Thabo Sikhakhane on trumpet.
Mashiloane’s academic credentials speak volumes for the passion and discipline he has for music, with a Masters degree in Jazz Performance and graduating Cum Laude from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
He was also well received by audiences while touring to promote his two albums Amanz’ Olwandle and Rotha – A Tribute to Mama.
His debut album, Amanz’ Olwandle (released in December 2016), was the first glimpse of his promising musical journey through jazz, which he said was a “reflection of every music experience accumulated throughout his upbringing and music career”.
Amanz’ Olwandle won two awards at the first Mzantsi Jazz Awards: best Contemporary Jazz Album (decided by a jury) and Best Jazz Album (voted for by the public). The awards recognise excellence in jazz music in South Africa.
In August 2017, Rotha – A Tribute to Mama” followed. This second album is an acoustic traditional jazz album blending South African heritage sound and universal jazz influences.
He described this album as mostly sharing John Coltrane’s harmonic movements with African influences within the melody and, most notably, references to South African tribal and spiritual sounds.
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Already being recognised for his contribution in this very vibrant time in South African jazz music, Mashiloane is also a teacher “with a focused goal to help grow talent form a firm foundation of African roots”.
He lectures at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and Durban Music School, saying his focus is to teach and organise live music performances with his students highlighting South African composers. Mashiloane is doing his second PHD focusing on South African composers.
- Performance details: Friday March 23, 10pm, The Chairman Jazz Lounge, 146 Mahatma Gandhi Road. Tickets R150. Bookings: 072 658 0746
- Saturday March 24, 5pm, Cape Town International Jazz Festival, Cape Town International Convention Centre
- Tickets: www.computicket.com