Nduduzo Makhathini’s Ongoing Rehearsal 6, new album and leaving South Africa

Did you know? In 2020 Nduduzo Makhathini made history as the first South African artist to sign with Blue Note Records. That same legendary jazz label behind John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Herbie Hancock, Norah Jones and Robert Glasper to name a few. This June, the label will release his highly anticipated new album, The Myth We Choose.

The Myth We Choose will feature 16 tracks and brings together a stellar array of collaborators; from his wife, Omagugu, to globally renowned DJ Black Coffee, and a cadre of “young, exciting talents.”

At its core, the album is a jazz trio effort, blending Zulu folk music with elements of soul, pop and dance.

“This new album marks a departure from my earlier work,” reflected Makhathini.

“Much of what I’ve created has circled around origin stories; creation myths rooted in indigenous Ba-Ntu knowledge systems. With this project, I’m asking a different question: how do we begin to imagine future Ba-Ntu myths while fully immersed in the churn of modernity?” 

He added, with a note of pride, that the new album was co-produced by his 18-year-old son, Thingo, “so it carries that unmistakable youthful energy!”

This Friday, February 20, those in Cape Town will have the rare privilege of hearing some of the new album's material live at the 6th iteration of An Ongoing Rehearsal; a collaborative concert series he has curated. This time, Makhathini will share the stage with German bassist Martin Zenker and Cape Town’s own tenor saxophone legend, Buddy Wells, at Youngblood Gallery on Bree Street.

"The core idea of ‘An Ongoing Rehearsal’ is rooted in the concept of study. This means that each of these presentations contributes uniquely to our library of ideas, but also to our collective awareness. What I have been learning from each iteration is, first and foremost, composition. Either existing compositions from my interlocutors or revisiting my own work and reimagining that for a different configuration or even spontaneous compositions created in the moment. But beyond everything I have been learning the language of the spirit, how to be with others and share space," said Makhathini.

Having attended the last Ongoing Rehearsal with Thandi Ntuli last year, I have come to realise that there is no formula for these performances. No script. They all jump in without any prior knowledge of where things will go. And it is beautiful to witness.

Speaking about his upcoming performance with Zenker and Wells, Makhathini said: "Both these musicians are 'matured' in their own rights, each artist brings a well of experience and ideas to the music. Both of them come from improvised musical traditions. But we also have all been influenced by our unique folk 'musics'; Wells by Cape Town music, Zenker by German music and I come from Zulu folk music. This bringing together of cultures was the thing that got me excited when I thought of this collaboration."

Makhathini’s ability to balance his career as an internationally recognized jazz musician with his academic role at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is a testament to his belief that teaching and doing must go hand in hand. Those who teach, must be able to do.

We then delved into the broader landscape of jazz in South Africa; its challenges, the role of festivals, the business of jazz and the artist’s quest for international recognition. 

Makhathini, who is rarely in South Africa, has turned down multiple offers to relocate abroad. “I am not planning to leave South Africa anytime soon!” although his frequent visits to Cape Town could be mistaken for a soft form of emigration too.

The ongoing rehearsals are primarily self-funded, with audience contributions helping to cover the costs of guest artists. For the sixth iteration at Youngblood tomorrow, the series has received logistical support from the Austrian Cultural Forum, alongside ongoing ticket sales through Quicket.

The seventh rehearsal, scheduled for March, will enjoy full backing from the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

After this Friday’s presentation at YoungBlood, Makhathini will leave for Denmark; beginning a brisk European tour that carries him through Rotterdam, Brussels, Stockholm, Oslo and Gdansk. All within four weeks. Then he will return to South Africa to perform at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival that takes place on March 27 - 28 at the CTICC.

Cape Times