SA music awards nominee brings talent to East London
JAZZ muso Lwanda Gogwana, who recently launched his second album titled Uhadi Synth at The Orbit – Home of Jazz, is bringing it to East London today.
Gogwana will be performing at 6.30pm at The Velvet Jazz Lounge.
The Mdantsane-born musician released his debut album Lwanda Gogwana: Songbook Chapter 1 in 2011.
The album saw him receive three South African Music Awards nominations for best jazz album, best newcomer and male artist of the year.
Gogwana said Uhadi Synth was a classical jazz album rooted in indigenous Xhosa music.
Since making his debut almost five years ago, Gogwana has gone on to work with the likes of songbird and The Voice SA judge Lira, Afro-pop duo Mafikizolo and jazz artist McCoy Mrubata.
The University of Cape Town jazz graduate said the album was inspired by the works of Nofinish Dywili, whom he discovered during his studies in African Musicology at university.
Velvet Jazz Lounge owner Alfredo Naidoo said they could not wait to host the SAMA-nominated musician.
On the album Gogwana has featured two of his longtime friends, Sisonke Xonti and Sakhile Moleshe, who also featured on his debut album.
Also present is pianist Kyle Shepherd, and on bass and drums are Amaeshi Ikechi and Lungile Kunene.
He said the album, which he started working on late last year, pays homage to one of his greatest inspirations, the late legendary South African jazz innovator Zim Ngqawana in a classical jazz standard, Qula Kwedini.
He said his arrangement on Qula Kwedini, featuring Sakhile Moleshe, offered warm, laid-back vocals and hints of the classic 1940s big band swing sound.
The album is available at Music Mix and in all digital stores.
Tomorrow, Gogwana will be playing at a gala dinner in Stutterheim. Tickets for the show cost R100 and will be sold at the door. —