The Centre for Jazz and Popular Music will
present the Jazz recitals on Wednesday (November 6, 2019).
The candidates for this year’s recitals are
Mokgethisi ‘Kgethi’ Nkotsi (trombone), Wandithanda ‘Wandi’ Makhandula, and
Zwelihle ‘Wande’ Kunene.
Kgethi Nkotsi (Diploma in Jazz and Popular
Music) was born in Tembisa on August 21, 1996, and is the second born of the four
children from his parents. Nkotsi started playing the trombone at the age of 17
while at Moses Molelekwa Arts Foundation in 2013 (MTMAF). At MTMAF he was
exposed to Jazz music and playing at music festivals and other gigs. That is
when his passion for Jazz started. He matriculated in 2015 and moved to Durban
in 2016 to study Jazz and Popular music at University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Wandi Makhandula is a cheerful, Xhosa young
lady born in the Eastern Cape. She grew up in a small town known as King
Williams Town. Because her father grew up in a musical background, she then
adopted Jazz musicality from him. Her musical journey began with piano lessons
at the age of seven. This was when she learnt the basics of classical music.
While growing up, she discovered her love for singing. During her high school
curriculum, Wandi would often run her own vocal ensemble for special occasions -
in and outside of school - and was part the school choir and chamber. She also
honed her individual singing outside of school by performing at open concerts
and Youth Music Festivals in Grahamstown/Makhanda. In 2014, Wandi participated
at the National Eisteddfod and received gold for her jazz solos. She has also
participated in the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Festival for the last
four years. In 2015, she auditioned for the top band and was knocked out only
in the final round. In 2016 she was the lead Vocalist for the National School’s
Big Band. In 2017 the songbird had her very first soul session show in Durban,
performing her musical journey at the BAT Centre and participated at the Exceptional
Sounds of Heroines Festival in august later that year. She hosted yet another
live show in Durban on April 6, 2019, at the Jazzy Rainbow, Wandithanda is now
doing her final year in BA Music, jazz voice at Howard College, UKZN.
Zwelihle Kunene is a pianist and an
aspiring musician mostly interested in the production aspect of the
entertainment industry. He started playing piano taking from his uncle around
the age of seven so has been growing with the Piano in music ever since. He
strongly appreciates the support he has been receiving ever since day 1. “I
have been privileged to be a part of different projects in the industry sharing
platforms with amazing musicians such as Sibusiso Mashiloane, Burton Naidoo,
George Mari and many more also in the different genres of music,” he says.
Expect to hear songs like Through The Years by Bheki Mseleku and, Themba lam by Nomfundo Xaluva, Re-incarnation of a Lovebird – Charles
Mingus and So Beautiful by Robert
Glasper.
Join The Centre for Jazz and Popular music
(CJPM), Level 2, Shepstone Building at UKZN Howard College Campus for the Jazz
Recital on November 6, 2019, at 18h00 (doors open at 17h30). Entrance is free. For
more details contact Thuli on 031 260 3385 or email Zamat1@ukzn.ac.za
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