(Right: Linda Sikhakhane. Pic supplied)
The Centre for Jazz and Popular Music proudly presents The Gratitude Suite by saxophonist Linda Sikhakhane featuring Zibusiso Makhathini on piano, Benjamin Jephta on bass and Sphelelo Mazibuko on drums on Wednesday May 15 2024 at 17h30.
The Gratitude Suite seeks to acknowledge all gifts and guidance in Sikhakhane’s journey, it is also a meditation for reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness through sound and improvisation.
Borrowing from his forthcoming album titled Iladi which is a transposition of a nguni ritual into a songbook that serves as a symbolism of gratitude, Sikhakhane has put together this suite to pre-launch his new body of work set to be released in July.
Sikhakhane is a South African born saxophonist, composer and arranger. He was born in Umlazi Township near Durban where his love for music was triggered at an early age. This saw him attending music classes at the age of 10 in Junior Primary and later took up jazz lessons under the tutelage of Dr Brian Thusi at the Siyakhula Music Center in his neighbourhood. He obtained a Diploma in Jazz /Popular Music at the University of KwaZulu-Natal under Prof Mageshen Naidoo in 2012.
Sikhakhane has played and recorded with respected South African and international artists such as Brian Thusi, Barney Rachabane, Feya Faku, Marcus Wyatt, Herbie Tsoaeli, Andile Yenana, Nduduzo Makhathini, Afrika Mkhize, Sibongile Khumalo, Gregory Potter, Reggie Workman and many more.
Sikhakhane won the SAMRO Overseas Scholarship in 2016 and in 2017 released his debut album titled Two Sides ,One Mirror.
He re-located to New York in 2017 and enrolled at The New School University as a transfer student to complete his Bachelors degree in jazz, he is studying with the great Billy Harper, David Schnitter & Reggie Workman. He studied further at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo.
The concert takes place on May 15, 2024, at the UKZN Centre for Jazz and Popular Music. Doors open at 17h00, Music starts at 17h30
Tickets: R110 (R80 for pensioners, R50 for students). Online Tickets available on webtickets: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/Event.aspx?itemid=1546990038
For door bookings and more information, contact zamat1@ukzn.ac.za
The Centre for Jazz is situated at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, Dennis Shepstone Building, Level 2