Riley’s pursuit of his musically inclined destiny
A CAREER in music was destiny for 23-year-old Riley Giandhari, who will debut his musical compositions next week as he works towards achieving his Masters Degree in music from the University of Kwazulu-natal.
The Riley G Collective, a band formed by Giandhari, will showcase the pieces he has been mulling over in recent years.
For his Masters in music, Giandhari is required to put together 24 compositions. He has since divided his compositions into three bands, which will feature throughout the year at Durban jazz lounges.
Giandhari, from Queensburgh, initially thought he would be an attorney. “Law was my first study option at UKZN, while music was my final option. I was left to study music but, in my second year of studies, I fell in love with it,” he said.
The jazz enthusiast took quickly to drums.
His rhythmic tapping saw him share stages with jazz legends including Hugh Masekela, Jan Lundgren, and Sibusiso “Mash” Mashiloane.
In 2016, he was among band members of UKZN’S Nyimbo Ya Bantu band, which was selected for the Concerts SA Exchange Programme in Norway.
The band even performed at the Oslo International Jazz Festival.
He reminisced: “It was my first time out of the country and it was amazing. My dream was to play at an international jazz festival and it happened!”
Giandhari has entrusted Sanele Phakathi (piano), Ethan Naidoo (guitar),
Salim Washington (saxophone and flute) and Prince Bulo (bass) to carry out his first set of musical compositions. The band launches on April 4 at the UKZN Jazz Centre.
The concert will be held at The Jazzy Rainbow, a jazz house in Morningside, on April 7. Tickets are R80 and available at the venue, including a free drink for students.
For more information, contact 031 303 8398.