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Nduduzo Makhathini
Pianist, educator and researcher, Nduduzo Makhathini, grew up in the lush and rugged hillscapes of uMgungundlovu in South Africa, where music and ritual practices were symbiotically linked. The area is significant historically as the site of the Zulu king Dingane kingdom (between 1828 and 1840) and the Zulu, in fact, the African warrior code, is deeply reliant on music for motivation and healing, a symbiosis that is key to understanding Makhathini’s musical vision. The church also played a role in his musical upbringing as well as the legends of South African jazz. Introduced by his mentor, Mseleku, Makhathini, to the music of John Coltrane’s classic quartet with McCoy Tyner, he notes that he came to understand his voice as a pianist through John Coltrane’s "A Love Supreme." Makhathini also cites American jazz pianists including Andrew Hill, Randy Weston, and Don Pullen as significant influences. The head of the music department at Fort Hare University in the Eastern Cape, Makhathini has performed at renowned festivals and made his debut appearances at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City in 2019. He was a featured guest with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra on their 3-night musical celebration, The South African Songbook in Rose Theater and he has released eight award winning albums on his Gundu Entertainment Record label in partnership with his wife, vocalist Omagugu Makhathini. His Blue Note debut, Modes of Communication: Letters from the Underworlds, released in 2020, earned widespread critical acclaim and made it on many end of the year “Best Of” lists. Mr. Makhathini will be joined by Zwelakhe Duma Bell le Pere on bass and Kabelo Boy Mokhatla, drums.
Event Links
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/2698319-0
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/2698319-2
