Living the music dream
WITH a strong belief that discipline and dedication are just as important as natural ability, the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Big Band director, Burton Naidoo, lives by four musical pillars – practice, conceptualisation, translation and attention.
Naidoo, who is also a music lecturer at UKZN and full-time performing artist, not only lives by these rules but teaches them to his students and fellow band members.
“It’s hard work being a musician. You have to practise a lot to keep your technique up, ears fresh, and have new concepts, repertoire and time. You have to be reliable and punctual to ensure you have enough work.
“But it’s rewarding when the music comes together and starts to evolve into something new. It makes those hours worthwhile.”
The Big Band recently showcased at the 29th Jazz Jol fund-raiser and shared the stage with national and local talent in an evening tailor-made for lovers of jazz and popular music.
Focusing primarily on house music with “Earth, Wind and Fire arrangements”, they performed a mix of African house that included Mi Casa, Davido and Black Coffee.
Speaking about the Big Band’s performance, Naidoo said: “Our band’s energetic, young and cooking.
“We probably had the best Jazz Jol we’ve seen in years. It was well attended and the band was on fire.”
But the Big Band, said Naidoo, took a while to complete.
“The Big Band has always been a part of the university as the flagship ensemble, but we haven’t been able to field a band at UKZN for a while as there was a shortage of horn players.
“Roughly three years ago, we had three horn players register in the programme, Nwabisa Kheswa, Simone van Niekerk and Tim Lewis.
“We joined forces with the Durban Music School and formed the Big Band. We’re proud to say we now have our very own 19-piece Big Band.”
Having studied music at UKZN under renowned professor Darius Brubeck, Naidoo is not only a director of music but a talented pianist.
“Being a musician is really a blessing and a calling for the most part. It’s not often that people get to follow their dreams. I am grateful I got to follow mine.”
Asked about his preferred style of music, the eManzimtoti music artist said: “I love to play jazz.
“I love the older stuff a whole bunch. Basie, Ellington, Bill Evans, Charles Mingus, Thelonius Monk, John Coltrane, Miles Davis. That is my preference.
“I love all types of music and try to see the value and integrity in anything I approach musically.
“I also try and learn from any music I’m engaging in. There’s art everywhere.”
However, music is only part of Naidoo’s multi-faceted life.
He is also a first time dad to 9-weekold Cora Mae and husband to Camille.
“I love to get up and spend daddy-daughter time. I think becoming a dad has really changed the way I view life.
“It has made me less selfish.” Naidoo said if he was not spending time with his family, he was at university or performing at a gig.
“I generally teach and then practise for a few hours before I leave university.
“On the weekends, I’m either at the golf course, at a gig or playing thunee with my card-crazy family.”
He said he had invested a lot of time in what he does and was at peace with where he was at the moment.
“I learnt that if you are convinced that what you are presenting is your truth and is honest, that honesty filters into the audience and you and the audience somehow become one.”
Reliving one of his best concerts to date, he said: “It happened right here in Durbs at the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music. It was called The Confession Suite.
“The performance was my first real presentation of music that I think defined me at the time. The music was experimental and free.
“I used plainsong, hymns, twelvetone rows, polyharmony as well as Gregorian chant in this extended composition.
“It was surprisingly well received and translated into a second composition called Confession Suite II: Heavenly Dances.”
The music man said he drew inspiration from not only life experiences but his faith.
“There is so much beauty in this world – nature, art, food, sport and the human spirit. I try my best to remain tuned into these things and somehow interpret it through music.
“Of course, my latest source of inspiration is my beautiful daughter, Cora Mae. She makes me want to be the best version of myself that I could be.”
And before you think Naidoo cannot be any more perfect, the motto he lives his life by is “Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you”.
“I believe a simple act of kindness goes a long way and eventually finds its way back to you.”