Jazz guru to show off his craft in city

Mashiloane to give workshop and ‘one night only’ show

AWARD-winning jazz musician and lecturer Sibu ‘ Mash’ Mashiloane from the University of KwaZulu-Natal will be in East London this weekend for one night only.

He will be performing at the Eastern Cape Audio Visual Centre (ECAVC), formerly known as Miriam Makeba Centre, on Saturday evening.

He will also be conducting a workshop for University of Fort Hare students in the morning.

Speaking with the Daily Dispatch yesterday, Mashiloane said he would be imparting some knowledge of piano, bass and drum musicians.

“[Students] will get to hear about my journey, where I come from, where I am and where I am going.”

Mashiloane said he would also be talking about the music industry and how it works. “I will touch on what it means to be a musician and how does one conduct yourself,” he said. Mashiloane said he hoped the workshop would inspire the musicians to create music that allowed the craft to shine.

“I have a long-term view of conscientising Africans about the value of their own works and aim to breed a new decolonised generation of musicians, music collectors and live music audiences who will pride themselves about their own African heritage,” he said.

Mashiloane said he would be performing music from both of his albums.

He released his debut album, Amanz’ Olwande, last year, which was the first glimpse of a promising musical journey through jazz, an accrual and reflection of every music experience he has accumulated throughout his upbringing and music career. The album was awarded with two accolades at the firstever Mzantsi Jazz Awards – best contemporary jazz album and best jazz album.

The awards aim to recognise excellence in jazz music in South Africa.

“With the first album I was breaking through some boundaries and people expected it to be jazzy but it wasn’t.

“The album borrowed from a lot of genres such as gospel, R&B, classic and hip-hop.

“It was an expression of music and I allow it to shine,” he said.

On his latest album, Rotha, a tribute to his mother, Mashiloane said the focus was now on jazz.

“This album can be used for teaching and learning because you get a lot of information from it,” he said, adding that he was planning to have the album used as study material in universities across the country.

He said he would be performing his music with a three-piece band. Tickets for the show cost R120 and will be available at the door. Doors open at 6pm. —