Dr Nduduzo Makhathini invites you to be still and listen.
The award-winning musician, philosopher and spiritual healer played at the Guild Theatre on Thursday night as part of a world tour for his latest album, uNomkhubulwane, named after the Zulu goddess. Jazz music from the water, for the womb.
Makhathini was joined by Mdantsane-born Ayanda Sikade on drums, Benjamin Jeptha on double bass, saxophonist Linda Sikhanane and Sakhile Simani on trumpet against a backdrop of dark-blue stars.
Singer Dumza Maswana was a guest of the evening and a surprise appearance from Duncan Village violinist Siseko Pame received bounteous applause.
A part of Makhathini’s practice is ephemeral — he would not reveal what scent of body oil he wore as its enticing smell filtered through the auditorium. A part of his meditation, he said.
Early in the performance, addressed the audience, gracefully asking for quiet.
It was an honour to share the music, he said.
“The circumstances or conditions under which the music is shared are always this place of negotiation between conversations that keep going on and the music that seeks to make meaning.
“I’m troubled in a deep way by the noises that keep coming, trying to focus the energy in one direction ... but it’s like the troubles we face and this is the reality of it.
“I have very special musicians I came with today and I have guests, so if we could give them some respect it would make sense for what they had to sacrifice to be here.”
After the show, Maswana said: “Nduduzo produced two of the songs on my album, Molo, and this is the first time we have been on stage together.
“Even with Benjamin, I’ve always wanted to work with these guys and today was that day.
“When doing Bheki Mseleku’s Thula Mtwana, I always listened to the song but never performed it. Tonight was the first time.
“He [Makhathini] told me to do whatever I wanted to do. He said just tell a story.”
I understood how that pained him; some audiences are just unbearable. People need to learn to allow the artists to perform
Papama Mnqandi, jazz enthusiast and organiser of the Umtiza Arts Festival, was impressed by Makhathini’s lineup of guest artists.
“What I am so grateful for is that our Duncan Village Siseko Pame was featured. Pame is an amazing musician hidden in everyday life of Buffalo City.”
He said Sakhile’s trajectory as a trumpeter kept rising — “not in a hurry, no showing off, just destined for greatness”.
“I know Makhathini loves the Guild and the East London community. To think he consciously fit us into his jam-packed global touring route is awesome.”
The show also demonstrated work was needed in terms of audience development, he said.
“I understood how that pained him; some audiences are just unbearable. People need to learn to allow the artists to perform.”
Makhathini said: “The intention of the concert was an open invitation to the womb, and this idea of the womb from uNomkhubulwane; an opportunity for rebirth.
“That’s the complexity of black music in terms of its own origin and the notion of a theatre and watching something.
“African music refuses to be watched — it wants you to watch yourself or is a kind of music that watches you.”
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