UKZN Music Duo N’den Release Debut Album

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N’den, a duo featuring vocalist Thulile Zama and pianist David Smith of the UKZN Centre for Jazz and Popular Music, have released their debut album, Sisingathiwe.

Smith said Sisingathiwe followed the success of their debut single Coffee in the Morning, which was well received and reflected a shared expression of original music they had created over the last few years from pre-COVID-19 and beyond.

The album is a 10-track collection in which Zama notes ‘echoes the essence of guardianship, warmth, protection and love for humanity. It revolves around a musical collaboration that was born out of the odd camaraderie between the two musicians and stylistic nuances that straddle jazz, neo-soul and a dash of modern Durban jazz flair.’

Reflecting on their humble musical beginnings, Smith said he was a member of the successful jazz/ hip-hop band Big Idea, which made waves throughout the country. Zama meanwhile, was a dynamic lead vocalist of the all-female contemporary jazz group Heels Over Head (Yamaha Young Artist winners in 2010; best contemporary jazz candidates - South African Music Awards [SAMA] - 2011).

‘Zama’s versatility as a vocalist is well-known and loved within the jazz circuit in Durban, and her talents have taken her to Hamburg, Berlin, and New Orleans,’ said Smith.

N’den has performed in various venues nationwide and headlined the No Franco#5 festival in Maputo, Mozambique, in May 2023. The duo recently performed at the UKZN Centre for Jazz and Popular Music.

The unit’s original music and some of their favourite songs are on their YouTube channel and social media pages: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Words: Sinoyolo Mahlasela

Photograph: Supplied