(Sibusiso
Mash Mashiloane)
Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane’s third album
release Closer to Home comes at a
season in his career where he wants to zoom into his social and musical
identity. Being born in Mpumalanga Province, surrounded by Ndebele, Pedi and
Swazi people and later moving to KwaZulu-Natal, he observed that each society
breathes its own character: “If that character is not embraced the significance
of being part of it, is lost” says Mashiloane.
All the cultures he experienced have their
own transitional cultural practices, which gives birth to new societies of mixed
cultures and traditions. This can clearly be heard in his album Closer To Home, which is a culmination
of all the musical dialects and the characteristics of the communities he has
stayed and shared with. It is, however, not a complete reflection, but a
serious starting point, which he trusts to attain a better understanding and
revelations through his studies and musical encounters.
During his planned launch tour, he will
present Closer to Home live for
audiences in Durban, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Swaziland, starting with the
official launch on September 1, 2018, at The Chairman in Durban.
For this performance, an impressive
11-piece band that all also contributed in the album, will be on stage,
featuring established names such as Kunle Ayo on guitar, Tlale Makhene on
percussions, Paki Peloeole on drums and Qhubekani Mthetwa on bass guitar. He
will also feature a brass section with Mthunzi Mvubu on saxophone, Thabo
Sikhakhane on trumpet and Thembinkosi Ngcobo on trombone. Lastly, the pianist
will be joined by three backing vocalists.
About the choice of musicians that
contributed to this music, he says: “these musicians all take pride in their
identity and are not only driven by their music’s skill impressions but also by
relevancy and accuracy.”
Mashiloane is a prolific artist whose
academic credentials speak volume for the kind of passion and discipline he has
for music. He has a Masters in Jazz Performance and graduated Cum Laude from
the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He is an integral performer and has been well
received by audiences while touring the country and beyond to promote his
albums Amanz’ Olwandle (2016) and Rotha – A Tribute to Mama (2017). Amanz’ Olwandle won two Mzantsi Jazz
Awards for Best Jazz album and Rotha
is currently nominated for the prestigious international Afrima Awards in the
category of best male in Southern Africa.
Not only is Mash a great artist in this
very vibrant time in South African jazz music, he is also a teacher with a
focused goal to help grow talent from a firm foundation of African Roots. He
lectures at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and Durban Music School. His focus
is to teach and organize live music performances with his students focusing on
South African composers. Mashiloane is currently doing his PHD focusing on
South African composers.
The official launch takes place on
September 1, 2018, at The Chairman, 146 Mahatma Ghandi Road in Durban. Tickets
R150. Bookings: 079 753 6313 or info@thechairmanlive.com
Johannesburg Launch: Friday 8 September,
Niki’s Jazz Restaurant, 138 Bree Street,
Newtown Precinct (opposite Market Theatre),
Johannesburg. Tickets R100. Bookings: 082 – 448 6376 or mwnikza@iafrica.com
Other launches take place in Swaziland
(September 28); Eastern Cape Launch (October 10 at Rhodes University, and Cape
Town (November 16 at The Muizenburg Jazz Festival)
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