Xonti reflects on his jazz journey
Artist releases new offering
Saxophonist Sisonke Xonti is one of the young jazz musicians in SA who epitomises a changing jazz scene which seeks to reconnect with young people.
Born in the Eastern Cape, Xonti’smusical journey started at the age of 13 when his father introduced him to the late Ezra Ngcukana. He has worked with different jazz maestros. With his urban, distinctive and fresh sound that is also rooted in his Xhosa culture, he was named the Standard Bank Young Artist Winner in the category of jazz for 2020. This did not come as a surprise for many jazz followers because he has been working hard. After a delay in the release of his second album uGaba The Migration, which is a sophomore, the offering is finally out.
Time Out caught up with the 31-year-old just a few hours before his big album launch performance in Cape Town last week.
Why the title uGaba The Migration and what inspired it? uGaba is my clan name. Initially, the title was just The Migration, then I realised that in my journey, whatever I have gone through or experienced in life, I have experienced it with my ancestors uGaba. Wherever Imigrated, they were there with me.
You must be relieved that the album is out after a delay?
I’m relieved because the album was supposed to have been released in April but things changed when the lockdown was announced. I started working on some of the songs last year and some of them were done during Covid. I used the lockdown to work on my songs. When we went to the studio, it took meamonth-anda-half to record it.
What is the inspiration behind the songs on the album? The songs are inspired by experiences. I went through a rough time between 2015 and 2017 but it kind of helped me to get to knowmyself and the world better.
I have been in Joburg since 2013 but during that time I lost a lot of work and I had broken up with my longtime girlfriend. What kept me going was my saxophone. I just kept playing.
I always felt I came from a very cushioned background though I grew up in the township. I felt like I was always floating and not being conscious aboutwhat is happening around me. But when I went through a rough time, I kind of migrated back to the real world. What is the difference between your previous album Iyonde and the new album? Iyonde was recorded in 2017 and it was my debut album. At that time I did not know myself so well then, I was still discovering myself having just moved from Cape Town to Johannesburg. The album is all over the place. With uGaba The Migration, this is more constructed and I feel I have found myself as Sisonke.
How has your journey been as a jazz musician?
It started out as a hobby when Iwas 13 years old. I said Iwillbe a lawyerbut I discovered in 2012 that jazz was more than just a hobby to me.
I actually started with music but dropped out and went to do law and later I went back to study music again through Unisa. For me, it has been an interesting journey, filled with interesting moments. I have been fortunate to work with some of the best jazz musicians in SA.
On being named the 2020 Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz?
We always talk about it as jazz musicians but you can never say you expect to get it. But I was honoured to be the recipient and joining a list of many recognised people. Being the Standard Bank Young Artist has helped promoting my brand and gave me an opportunity to record a quality album.