Jazz is not just for the old; it has evolved and become more accessible and relatable. Jazz music developed from Afro-American music which included among others: work songs, spiritual music, minstrelsy (a stage entertainment typically performed by whites with blackened faces who performed songs, dances and comedy apparently of black American origin). In fact, the heavy African influences of Jazz are represented in the music and demonstrated with the heavy presence of percussion and bending notes expressed during improvisation. The spontaneous way that Africans invent a piece of music or beat without an instrument is a big feature in jazz then and today. Anyway, back to the main topic!
Siyavuya Makuzeni is a trombone player, vocalist, lyricist and songwriter well known for her uniquely experimental, edgy yet pure intonation. She was awarded with the Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz at this year’s Jazz Festival at the National Art Festival. She was born in the Eastern Cape and began her music career at a very young age. She started off playing the recorder (flute like instrument with a whistle mouthpiece) and picked up the trombone while at Sterling High School in East London.
I asked her about why she chose the trombone as oppose to an instrument such as a piano or violin and she replied, “I didn’t really choose it, it chose me. I felt I wanted to advance musically and when auditioning for the jazz band at Sterling high, my teacher encouraged me to try it. I tried a bunch of instruments and wanted to play the clarinet but that didn’t work out”, she said.
The best way I can describe her music is transcendent. I know it’s a heavy description but it is true. Her music is so dynamic and layered; there are a lot of hip hop, bass and electronic influences that make her music coloured and compelling. She also brings in her Xhosa heritage into the music through the chanting, melodies and obviously the language.
She cites some of her inspirations or early passions when she began discovering jazz music as Oscar Peterson and American composer Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis and Zim Ngqawana among others. She does maintain that she keeps an open mind concerning the music she listens to and uses that as a pedestal to express her own style. And she has really found her niche. During her performances, she is quite a vision to watch. She is either dancing or switching between the trombone and the vocal pedal she uses to manipulate her voice. It is quite an experience. She mentions that she doesn’t need a bog stage to make her performances special.
She said that winning the Standard Bank Young Artist for jazz this year was a surprise and she believes that she has come full circle from attending the festival since she was a student at Rhodes. “I was excited to play my own music and introduce myself as an artist and not as a part of a band and I believe that I have come full circle. It’s been 15 years and I’m grateful for the experience”. She also mentioned that she had a great time and also how she was blessed to share the stage with artists that she admires.
She is planning on releasing an album this year and to hopefully travel with her band. She also mentioned a festival tour that she may hook up and also maybe delve into music production. We can’t wait! Check her out on her social media to see what she is up to: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For bookings you can email her here: siyamakuzeni@gmail.com.
Click HERE for more pictures
Check out one of her performances at the Safaricom Jazz Festival earlier on this year
