1. Parents tend to be stricter as educators, than external professionals. How would you say having mother as your first teacher influenced the way you’re learning progressed when you moved on to other educators?
This process happened very organic for me, I only discovered later that my mom had been teaching me. She believed music was a language, a way of communication.
2. Having toured internationally, how does the international audience compare to South Africa in terms of appreciation and taste in jazz music?
The western audiences are obviously different to ours, mainly in terms of their reaction to music. Europe is more a trained audience they listen and only show their appreciation by giving applauses either at the end of a piece or at the end of the whole performance. Africans on the other hand are interactive and very spontaneous in their response.
Over the years I believe the west has cultivated their audience in a particular way, I mean, even looking at how the venues are structured more indoors for a seated audience. In Africa the whole audience and performer thing is quite new we do everything in circles, everyone gets involved it’s either you play the drum or singer a counter that is who we are. In closing I enjoy both audiences for different reasons and I appreciate the support one has been getting from both over the years.
3. Do you see diversity in South Africa’s art & entertainment industry, and is it living up to the potential you believe there is?
South Africa is one of the most diverse countries I know when it comes to music and I believe it’s because we are very diverse even in our culture and language. Musicians are also very open here and exposed to a lot of different music from all over the world. I’m happy and very content to be an artist here now, though I feel artists are always ahead of everyone. I believe to create an industry we need all parties to be in sync from our business people, venues, government etc.
4. You collaborate and work with a lot of other musicians and bands, how does that influence your art as an individual?
This for me is the healthiest thing to do from any artists; it helps a lot for growth and evolution of sound. It’s always great for me to tap into other musician’s spaces and know their story. I am grateful for all the collaborations I have been involved in; everyone I have worked with is but part of the composition and decomposition of the artist I am today. I look forward to more.
5. You’ve said before that your album “Sketches of Tomorrow” you attributed it to your children, how has your career been influenced by fatherhood?
For me this one thing, I live my life and express my experiences through sound. I’m first a human being before being an artist; with no life experiences there wouldn’t be music. Music is a result of our existence the reverse is also true – we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for sound. So for me, the two are never separated.
6. Which have been your 3 favourite performances? What about them makes them stand out from the rest?
To be honest I don’t have a favourite performance, but I have some that I remember. One of them is my twin album’s launch which I recently did, it was very special. The group had amazing synergy, the audience brought
7. Will “Listening to the Ground” which you have said is a follow up to Mother Tongue, be expressed in Zulu and your views on connecting music to spirituality?
This record like all of them, will be best expressed in my mother tongue; my first language from my ancestors, the ones who borrow us the music. Music is spiritual by the fact that we can’t see it but can feel its impact, this means that it exists in another realm and to get to it we always have to channel our thoughts and submit ourselves to a higher power.
8. Tell us about your performance at Bassline next week, what can the fans expect?
I am very happy to be performing at the Bassline on Wednesday next week as this is a very historic venue and over the years has looked after so many musicians, the space is charged with great energy. In terms of the music I will be introducing a lot new material from my coming project “Listening to the Ground” for the first time so people should look forward to that. Also I can’t forget Standard Bank and The National Arts Festival for supporting my coming project.
