In the groove
Jazz, trumpets, sax, guitars for East London
South African Music Awards (Sama) nominated East London trumpeter, songwriter and composer Lwanda Gogwana is coming home this weekend to perform at The Square Africa.
The boxing lounge in Station Street hosts artists every month with the hope of growing the arts in the province. Sundays are dedicated to jazz artists.
The Mdantsane-born musician released his debut album, Lwanda Gogwana: Songbook Chapter 1, in 2011.
The album saw him receive three Sama nominations in 2012 for best jazz album, best newcomer and male artist of the year.
His second release, Uhadi Synth, came out in 2016, an album he described as classical jazz rooted in indigenous Xhosa music.
Since making his debut in the music industry, Gogwana has gone on to work with the likes of Ray Phiri, Jimmy Dludlu, Jonas Gwangwa, jazz pianist Tete Mbambisa, Simphiwe Dana, McCoy Mrubata and the Standard Bank Young Artist Award recipients Siya Makuzeni and Afrika Mkhize, to mention a few.
“Since the last release I’ve spent a lot of time doing shows around the country and also doing a lot of collaboration with other jazz artists,” he said.
Gogwana also got the opportunity to teach University of Fort Hare music students the history of African music with a focus on Xhosa sounds.
“Currently I am working on my third album.
“For the first time I am working with other producers. Before I used to compose and produce my own work.
“This album is going to be different from my last two and I cannot wait to hear what it will sound like,” he said.
Gogwana said on the Sunday show he would be doing a mixture of songs.
“I always try to balance out a show. I will play classics, present and futuristic sounds,” he said, adding that the show was dedicated to his father, Mzandile Gogwana, who celebrated his birthday this month.
“This is my way of showing my appreciation to him and of celebrating his life,” he said.
Tickets for his show on Sunday cost R120 and will be available at The Square Africa.