Matchume Zango and Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane exploring new musical horizons during lockdown
In Ponte Maputo Durban, pianist Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane from Durban and multi-instrumentalist Matchume Zango from Maputo have reinterpreted each other’s works. The documentary concert will be screening at the Virtual National Arts Festival from June 25 to July 5, 2020.
The music journeys through an improvised language of a lifetime learned sonic therapy, which takes the listener along every note towards a form of healing. South Africa and Mozambique are sovereign neighbours who historically share an umbilical cord, which breathes from the beat of the same rhythmic pulse. This music pulls worlds once parted by colonial separations together when these maestros construct Ponte Maputo Durban sonically. This project is a significant musical and cultural experience in the form of a collaboration. The potential for any listener to reap the benefits of connecting to something so boundless as musicianship, is almost like removing physical borders in the global map of sound.
“It is needed for creatives in these two cities to get to know each other and create interaction between them as it will expand market access for creatives and at the same time enrich and diversify the cultural offer in both cities. Despite both artists being in their respective countries, this lockdown does not mean they can not collaborate,” says Marlyn Ntsele from iSupport Creative Business.
“This project for me is about exchanging ideas, improvising, exploring new musical horizons and creating musical vibrations in the virtual world with Mash,” says Matchume.
“It is always a great experience for me to exchange ideas with other musicians. Even more so when it is someone from another African country, working with Matchume has taught about new musical influences, and at the same time, I learned more about my own musical identity,” says Mashiloane
Born and raised in Maputo, Mozambique, master timbila player and percussionist Cândido Salomão Zango, also known as ‘Matchume’, is well-known in the southern African region for his many collaborations with international musicians and his spectacular timbila and dance shows. Matchume has dedicated himself to Mozambican traditional music and dance since the age of six. His parents and grandparents are originally from Zavala, Inhambane Province (Mozambique, which is the centre of Timbila, a marimba-style instrument which is revered to as part of Mozambique’s national patrimony). Inspired by this long and passionate tradition of music, Matchume began to play, study music and produce traditional instruments. Matchume earned his Bachelor in Music Performance at University of Cape Town (UCT) where he was also employed as a lecturer and is currently enrolled in his Master degree. In Maputo, he is owner of the Nzango Artist Residency and founding member of the band Timbila Muzimba and the Warethwa Cultural Association.
Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane is known to be
both a virtuoso player and conductor with his live performances being the
drawing card that have garnered him audiences across the world. He is an
integral performer of African Jazz music and has built an enthusiastic fan-base
while touring South Africa, USA, Mozambique and Tanzania. He released four
albums since 2016 that were all nominated and winners of a variety of awards,
such as the Mzantsi Jazz Awards, AFRIMA Award and nominations for the SAMA
Awards and the Urban Music Awards. His academic credentials speak volume on the
kind of discipline and passion he has for music. He has a Masters in Jazz
Performance, graduated Cum Laude from the University of KwaZulu Natal and is a
University lecturer. He is currently working on his PhD [studying the concept
of home through SA jazz lens].
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Musician and Composer: Sibusiso Mash
Mashiloane
Musician and Composer: Matchume Zango
Photography: Simanga Zondo
Editing Director: Mandisa Buthelezi
Editor: Mduduzi Nxele
Executive Producer: Marlyn Ntsele
Screening: From June 25 to July 5. Tickets:
daily passes are R80, which gives you access to any shows of your choice.
www.nationalartsfestival.co.za/show/ponte-maputo-durban
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