Dumza Maswana has been nominated for the First Annual Mzantsi Jazz Awards in the categories Best Male Jazz Artist, Best Jazz Song for the song The Letter; Best Traditional Jazz Album and Best Jazz Album for his debut album Molo.
The First annual Mzantsi Jazz Awards (MJA’s) aims to recognise excellence in jazz music in South Africa and the purpose of the awards is to “celebrate, appreciate and venerate jazz” as a genre that deserves special attention in the evolving South African music industry. The nominees were recently announced at an event attended by musicians and local media at the Mzantsi Jazz Awards Head Office in Hatfield, Pretoria.
After the announcement, an excited Dumza Maswana said: “It’s truly an honour to be nominated at the MJA’s. I feel humbled to have my album recognised and considered as an excellent contribution to South African Jazz”.
Dumza is a singer songwriter therefore all his music is self-composed and his music fuses jazz, traditional and soul influences and sounds. He writes about his life experiences and views as well as various things that inspire and motivate him. Dumza is deeply rooted in his culture and religion so his music does display his powerful sense of tradition and religious beliefs.
Dumza’s debut album was released on the 15th October 2016. The album titled Molo was recorded with Luyanda Madope as executive producer. Other producers who worked with Dumza on the album are Nduduzo Makhathini, Gabriel Stuurman and Banda Banda. He also features the legendary Suthukazi Arosi and Titi Luzipho on the album. The album was recently nominated at the 23rd SAMA awards this year in the category Best African Adult Album.
The First annual Mzantsi Jazz Awards will take place on the 11th August 2017 at Gold Reef City.
Watch him preform Molo for us!
