Bray Jazz Festival: Nduduzo Makhathini Trio

Pianist Nduduzo Makhathini has been a central figure in South Africa’s vibrant jazz scene for over a decade.

One of just a handful of African-based musicians to be signed to the prestigious Blue Note jazz label, he has released three albums on Blue Note, including Modes of Communication: Letters From the Underworlds, which earned a New York Times ‘Best Album of the Year’ ranking in 2020.

Makhatini is no ordinary jazz pianist. Rather, he’s a warm, engaging performer who is also a healer, shaman and educator who has delved deep into the history and traditions of his ancestors for inspiration.

A charismatic live performer, his concerts are absorbing, his tunes a rich tapestry that can be simple, sparce and lyrical, or dense and hypnotic.Makhathini imbues his music with distinctive cultural references – Zulu language recitations, trills, treble fill-ins, intimate microphone murmurs and passages studded with impressive tongue-click consonants of the Khoisan languages of his homeland.

Makhathini is joined in his stellar trio by South African double-bassist Zwelakhe Bell le Pere and Cuban drummer Lukmil Perez, musicians with whom he appears to have a near telepathic understanding.

“…quite simply magnificent.” – Best of Jazz