Mashiloane connects three generations through album

In his sixth offering Music from My People, award-winning singer Sibusiso “Mash” Mashiloane brings together three generations of jazz musicians.

His well-crafted album that dropped at the end of January afforded the lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal an opportunity to work with his idols.

Music from My People has contributors from older generation of SA jazz musicians, the current crop and future ones who are still studying music.

Born 1984 in Bethal, Mpumalanga, Mashiloane brought together different generations because the plan was to impart knowledge to younger generation and the current one.

Working on the album during lockdown, Mashiloane had time to explore in terms of sound and worked with 19 people.

In his team he has acclaimed musicians like Khaya Mahlangu, Bheki Khoza, Xoliswa Dlamini, Thembinkosi Khumalo, Linda Sikhakhane, Thabo Sikhakhane, Buddy Wells, Nomthandazo Madiya, Wandithanda Makhandula, Qhubekani Mthethwa and Shaun Johannes.

“That’s what South African jazz is all about — connecting generations. It all comes from our people from ages ago, and we’re putting together the pieces.

“It’s a consolidation of all these sounds and nuances that the music brings as a carrier of all our social experiences. I, myself wanted to learn from people like Khaya Mahlangu. It was amazing to work with him.

“I like how he respected how I wish the music to sound like. He kept asking, 'how you are hearing the music?' I was representing myself and music that I grew up listening to like Zion and Amandebele.”

Music from My People was inspired by Mashiloane’s performance at the famous Sauti za Busara in Zanzibar in 2019.

The songs in the album is inspired by music that the artist has come across and experienced living while growing up in different townships.

“While performing I was moved by what music was doing to all music of all races. Music from My People is inspired by elements that we as people embrace, especially ubuntu as a way of viewing life. I tried to incorporate every races, culture, and ethnicity while breaking boundaries.

“In this album I was trying to embrace everyone. Music is holy and sees no race and gender. At the same at time is a carrier of information.”

The album opens with a track 1976 which the pianist says it composed with 1976 youth uprising in mind.

Since the country commemorates the day, Mashiloane composed the song on that day last year.

“This was the first song that I actually wrote for this album. Every year, I watch what was going on and try to relate it to what is going on now. On that day, I decided to try to find meaning and see what the instrument reflects.

“The best way, for me as an artist, is to try to find the melodies and try to find those cries that were happening in the moments people were going through. I found the cries and within those cries there are also the joys... I’m trying to narrate that in a musical form.

“When I composed it I was imagining what could have been happening to our people fighting for their rights to be. The song Freedom Day carries on what does it mean to be free and are we allowed to be free. I also have a song called Omalume which I composed thinking of the people that have carried through the sounds.

“I was looking at all the ingredients that made up the music and just saying, thank you to people like Bab’Andile Yenana and Tete Mbambisa who are my uncles. But I’m also referring to my aunts and uncles at home who kept this music alive.”

Contrary to belief that people were no longer interested in CDs, jazz lovers prefer them.

“Hard copies are in demand among the jazz lovers. They still want to physical copy and to be autographed. I guess they do that so that they can brag among themselves.”

The jazz pianist, who has an established profile locally and has been exposed to international stages, has released five albums and has awards to show for it.

He is currently studying towards a PhD looking at the concept of home through SA jazz the lens.