I woke up at around 7 a.m. on Saturday the 3rd of June, noncommittally scrolling through my Facebook, only to come across an invite to the very 1st KZN International Jazz Day Festival taking place the very same day. I immediately called up a close connoisseur on all things Jazz and asked if he’d be keen to go with me. I mean the honourable Dr Nduduzo Makhathini was on the line up - and I’d always wanted to experience his world-class rendition live.

We arrived at The Station Urban Event Venue just after 3p.m. to collect our passes, with doors opening at 4:20p.m. to allow people in. What amazed me, while researching this magnificent venue’s history, is that it was initially built by Pastors Rory and Melanie Dyer as the home of the Glenridge Church congregation in 1999, and later rebranded in late 2017 as “The Station”, with expanded usage as a venue-for-hire, when it isn’t being used by the church. As someone raised in a church-planting family - I find this form of innovation extremely progressive.

As a Jazz newbie, I made sure to take someone with me who happens to be far more knowledgeable of the genre and it’s rich culture - to assist me in understanding the roots of this powerful movement, so I invited none other than Pan Afrikanist revolutionary and intellectual, Jackie Shandu - who’s love for Jazz drew my attention to the genre for the first time in 2021. Jackie explained to me that Jazz had always been a refuge for the socially conscious, intellectually inclined and mature crowd, and that leading Jazz icons such as Billy Holiday and Nina Simone used their music as a conscientizing tool during the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S.A in the 50s and 60s. He went on to say, that it was the soul injected by African musos into this originally American music format, that gave it it’s highly spiritual connection.

MC’s for the evening were uKhozi FM’s Mandla Mdletshe and (former Khaya FM) journalist and broadcaster Brenda Sisana who did a fantastic job keeping us entertained throughout the various 20-30 minute breaks between each live act. The lineup was categorized into three distinct segments: The Smooth Jazz Hour, The Afro Jazz Hours and The International Jazz Hour. The Smooth Jazz Hour kicked off with Pianist Mthobisi Mthalane followed by a trio composed of Nibs Van Der Spuy, Neil Gonsalves and Demi Fernandez. Artists showcasing in the Afro Jazz Segment were: Bongani Nkwanyana followed by an 8-piece band of pioneers called The Mkhumbane Ensemble (who all reminded me somewhat of The Last Poets). Outstanding Eastern Cape-born music lecturer and vocal coach Xolisa Dlamini, accompanied by Amahubo Musician and Heritage worker, Music facilitator at KCAP, and Member of African Heritage Ensemble - Zawadi YaMungu - together performed a beautiful affirmatory song by the title Ngimuhle - celebrating the beauty in African womanhood.

Next Limpopo’s very own superstar and multi-award-winning Selaelo Selota performed, bringing the entire house to their feet. Lastly pianist, educator, researcher, composer, producer and healer through sound - Dr Nduduzo Makhathini from uMgungundlovu who was awarded his PhD in Music at Stellenbosch University in March earlier this year, graced the stage accompanied by award-winning South African-born vocalist, songwriter, and musician Mbuso Khoza. I’m not sure I can entirely put into words what this performance did to me - but I can assure you it was a truly spiritual experience that brought me to tears. I think Dr Nduduzo worded the experience perfectly before leaving the stage, by describing his desire to continue “tapping into a sound that is continually rejoicing”.

By the time Dr Nduduzo’s set had finished, there was a definite shift of the energy in the room. While we waited for the sound to be sorted for the last two performing headline acts - Tokyo-born but raised musically in New York, pianist/composer Yayoi Ikawa and Cameroon-born American multi-instrumentalist and singer Richard Bona (USA), I decided I needed to leave, as it was already 1am, although I was told by others who remained, that Yayoi Ikawa and Richard Bona, performed by 2a.m and 3a.m. respectively, for a loyal crowd that stayed until the final note was played.

The KZN International Jazz Festival is supported by The South African National Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, eThekwini Municipality, UNESCO, International Jazz Day, The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, the Cultural & Creative Industries Federation of South Africa (CCIFSA) and the Kwa-Zulu Natal Jazz Appreciators Association (KZNJAA).

A huge congratulations to the Festival Founder Mr. Atlas Philani Duma and his team for achieving what they did.

Written by Lex LaFoy.