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Nduduzo Makhathini

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Nduduzo Makhathini
Makhathini in Amsterdam, 2021
Makhathini in Amsterdam, 2021
Background information
Born
Nduduzo Makhathini

(1982-09-24) 24 September 1982 (age 43)
uMgungundlovu, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
GenresJazz
Occupations
  • Musician
  • composer
  • teacher
  • philosopher
InstrumentPiano
Years active2000–present
Labels
Websitewww.nduduzomakhathini.com

Nduduzo Makhathini (born 24 September 1982) is a jazz pianist from uMgungundlovu, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

Biography

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Makhathini with the Aarhus Jazz Orchestra, Aarhus, 2023

Coming from a musical family, his love for music began at an early age.[1] Makhathini completed his Diploma in Jazz Piano at the Durban University of Technology in 2005[2][3] and obtained a PhD in music from Stellenbosch University in 2023.[4][5] He has performed with musicians including Zim Ngqawana, Simphiwe Dana, Feya Faku, and McCoy Mrubata.[1]

In April 2020, his studio album Modes of Communication: Letters from the Underworld was released by Blue Note Records.[6] It was named one of the "Best Jazz Albums of 2020" by The New York Times and was followed by In the Spirit of Ntu in 2022 and uNomkhubulwane in 2024.[7]

Awards and honors

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Makhathini was the recipient of the 2015 Standard Bank Young Artist Award in the jazz category;[8] this award is hosted by the National Arts Festival.[9] At the 2017 All Africa Music Awards, Makhathini won the Best Jazz Artist award.[10] His musical output has led him to be described by Seton Hawkins of All About Jazz as "a truly singular pianist, an astonishingly gifted composer, and a deeply nuanced thinker on the music ... one of the country's [South Africa's] most remarkable talents."[11]

Discography

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  • Mother Tongue (Gundu, 2014) with Sakhile Simani, Mthunzi Mvubu, Linda Sikhakhane, Ariel Zamonsky, Benjamin Jeptha, and Ayanda Sikade
  • Sketches of Tomorrow (Gundu, 2014) with Sakhile Simani, Mthunzi Mvubu, Jonathan Crossley, and Ayanda Sikade
  • Listening to the Ground (Gundu, 2015)
  • Matunda Ya Kwanza, Vol One (Gundu, 2015)
  • Icilongo – The African Peace Suite (Gundu, 2016) with Sakhile Moleshe, Justin Bellairs, Shabaka Hutchings, Benjamin Jeptha, and Ayanda Sikade
  • Inner Dimensions – Umgidi Trio & One Voice Vocal Ensemble (2016) with Fabien Iannone, Dominic Egli, Lisette Spinnler, and Jule Fahrer
  • Ikhambi (Universal South Africa, 2016)
  • Reflections (Gundu, 2017) – solo piano
  • Modes of Communication: Letters from the Underworlds (Blue Note, 2020)[12]
  • The Blues of a Zulu Spirit (EP, 2021)
  • In the Spirit of Ntu (Blue Note Africa, 2022)
  • uNomkhubulwane (Blue Note Africa, 2024)
  • The Myth We Choose (Blue Note, 2026)

References

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  1. 1 2 "Nduduzo Makhathini: SBYAA for Jazz". The M&G Online. 4 November 2014.
  2. ↑ "Nduduzo Makhathini | The Orbit – Jazz Club & Bistro – Johannesburg". Theorbit.co.za. Archived from the original on 11 November 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  3. ↑ "Nduduzo Makhathini". Hermanus Fynarts Festival. Archived from the original on 15 June 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  4. ↑ "Nduduzo Makhathini obtains his PhD in Music from Stellenbosch University". 28 March 2023.
  5. ↑ "SA jazz master Nduduzo Makhathini adds a PhD to list of accolades".
  6. ↑ Neophytou, Nadia. "Interview: South Africa's Nduduzo Makhathini On His Upcoming Blue Note Records Debut - OkayAfrica". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  7. ↑ Russonello, Giovanni (2 December 2020). "Best Jazz Albums of 2020". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
  8. ↑ Setumo-Thebe Mohlomi (30 October 2014). "Nduduzo Makhathini finds the gift of healing in song". The M&G Online.
  9. ↑ "National Arts Festival". Archived from the original on 29 October 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  10. ↑ "The rising star of South African jazz". BBC. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  11. ↑ "Nduduzo Makhathini: Jazz Is a Shared Memory". All About Jazz. 1 February 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  12. ↑ "Nduduzo Makhathini at Blue Note". Bluenote.com. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
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