Double Accolade at Mzantsi Jazz Awards for UKZN Lecturer

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UKZN Music Lecturer Mr Sibusiso “Mash” Mashiloane recently won two awards for his debut album, Amanz’ Olwandle, at the inaugural Mzantsi Jazz Awards in Johannesburg.

Mash won Best Jazz Album by public vote and Best Contemporary Jazz Album, decided by a jury. Nominees in his category included Nduduzo Makhathini, Dumza Maswana, Africa Plus and Bongani Radebe.

The Mzantsi Awards recognise excellence in jazz music in South Africa.

Humbled at winning the two awards, Mashiloane will release his second album, Rotha – A Tribute to Mama, on Sunday 27 August during a performance in SABC’s M1 Studios in Durban at 4pm which marks the start of his launch tour.

Tickets are R150 and can be obtained through www.webtickets.co.za and at Pick n Pay.

The album is a tribute to cherished and influential figures, experiences and memories in Mashiloane’s life but most importantly salutes his mother, Ms Rotha Mashiloane, who passed away exactly a year ago on 27 August 2016, while he was in studio recording the album.

Rotha is an acoustic traditional jazz collection which radiates South African heritage sounds and universal jazz influences. He describes the album as ‘mostly sharing Coltrane’s harmonic movements with African influences within the melody and, most notably, references to South African tribal and spiritual sounds.

‘This is a very special album for me because it contains my first compositions after I had enrolled at the Natal Technikon. Most of the songs on the album are more than 10 years old.  The arrangements, rhythms, melodies and harmonic structures are therefore a reflection of my years at both Natal Tech and UKZN,’ said Mashiloane.

‘These are songs I would play with my “Unlocked Keys Band” and the audiences loved them. Recording the album was not an easy task for me; I wanted to hear the music as I composed it many years ago, which was difficult considering the influences and the maturity I have accumulated. The good part is that 90% of the musicians who feature on the recording are musicians I used to play the music with,’ he said.

Mashiloane holds a Master’s degree in Jazz Performance (cum laude) from UKZN. He has performed nationally and internationally with an aim to become an integral part of the South African and international jazz scene.

His performances are inspired by funk, hip-hop, gospel and traditional South African music.

Mashiloane’s goal is to grow talent, teach and organise live music performances with his students, focusing on South African composers. This is in line with his current PhD studies which focus on local music.

Words by: Melissa Mungroo

Photograph by: Black Lotus Photography