Jazz pianist Nduduzo Makhathini releases new album In The Spirit of Ntu
By CityLife Arts Writer
South African Jazz Composer and Pianist, Nduduzo Makhathini presents his new album, In The Spirit of Ntu. This is a 10-track album that explores the thematic, sonic and conceptual notions of his catalogue. “I really felt this need to summarise everything I have done and put it into context,” says Makhathini.
In this album, Makhathini draws on his Christian background, Zulu tradition as well as intellectual curiosities. Ntu is an ancient philosophy where the idea of Ubuntu stems from the notion of Ntu. The Spirit of Ntu is living in that paradigm of listening to the things that emerge from the ground.
Nduduzo Makhathini is no stranger to the Jazz scene as he is the recipient of the 2015 Standard Bank Young Artist Award in the Jazz category. In addition, at the 2017 All Africa Music Awards, Makhathini won the Best Jazz Artist Award.
As he presents his 10th official studio release with Universal Music Africa, he has worked with multiple artists in the South African Jazz scene such as Linda Sikhakhane, Benjamin Jephtha, Shabaka Hunchings, Ayanda Sikade, Sakhile Simani and Mthunzi Mvubu amongst many others.
Makhathini has been touring internationally and is now back in South Africa, available for in-studio interviews and performances.