Pianist Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane gets SAMA nomination for 6th album: Music From My People.
Durban-based pianist and composer Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane is a virtuoso player and conductor. His live performances are the drawing card that has garnered his audiences worldwide, and his recordings have been awarded many prestigious awards. On Tuesday 7 June, his 6th album titled ‘Music From My People‘ was nominated for a South African Music Award in the Best Jazz category. Other nominees in the category are Herbie Tsoaeli, Steve Dyer, Jimmy Dludlu and McCoy Mrubata.
“I am so thankful for this nomination, especially being amongst the musicians that are part of the reference in my pursuit of the sound of home is a great honour. Thank you so much for all who guided me and are part of this music,” says Mashiloane.
Music From my People is a 10-track album with a comprehensive approach that echoes many rhythmic languages, multi-generational comradery in sound, and an exploration into self-identity. The creation is weaved in the fabric of family, community, country, the African continent and the world. The Jazz genre is interpreted in its many phases and decades, carrying along with the introspective experiences linked to those specific relevant times. The album is not carefully curated and synchronised to direct you from one point to another but more so a puzzle that pieces the listener’s personal interpretative experiences together, just as how Mashiloane’s journey of music has been.
Featuring in the album are several industry stalwarts, which was an essential thing for Mashiloane as he wanted the different communities to speak through the music, such as percussionist Tlale Makhene, guitarist Bheki Khoza and tenor saxophone player Khaya Mahlangu. However, generations meet in his music, as he is also featuring young talents, some of these have studied under his supervision, such as bassist Qhubekani Mthethwa, trumpet player Thabo Sikhakhane and vocalist Wandithanda Makandula.
Mashiloane, now synonymous with the South African Jazz scene and music stages across the globe, has released five albums that have since reached critical acclaim. He is a multi-award winning and nominated artist at prestigious ceremonies and events like the SAMAs, the AFRIMA awards and the International Urban Music Awards. At present, he is studying towards a PhD which befittingly aims, through the lens of South African Jazz, to focus on the nostalgia-seeped themes of home that Mashiloane can’t help but find himself instinctively returning to.
Six years ago, Mashiloane set himself a target to release one album a year for seven years. Since then, the audiences have enjoyed the following award-winning albums:
2017 – Amanzi’ Olwandle
2018 – Rotha: Tribute to Mama
2019- Closer to Home
2020 – Amanzi Nemifula: Umkhuleko
2021 – Ihubo Labomdabu
2022 – Music From My People
