Press release:

The Centre for Jazz and Popular Music proudly presents ‘The Gratitude Suite’ by saxophonist Linda Sikhakhane featuring Zibusiso Makhathini on piano, Benjamin Jephta on bass and Sphelelo Mazibuko on drums on Wednesday 15 May 2024 at 17:30.

The Gratitude suite seeks to acknowledge all gifts and guidance in Sikhakhane’s journey, it is also a meditation for reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness through sound and improvisation. Borrowing from his forthcoming album titled ‘Iladi’ which is a transposition of a nguni ritual into a songbook that serves as a symbolism of gratitude, Sikhakhane has put together this suite to pre-launch his new body of work set to be released in July.

Linda Sikhakhane biography:

P.MAURIAT ARTIST

SILVERSTEIN WORKS ARTIST

SAMRO OVERSEAS SCHOLARSHIP AWARD WINNER FOR JAZZ 2016

APPLE MUSIC ARTIST SPOTLIGHT 2020

SAMA AWARDS NOMINEE 2021

STANDARD BANK YOUNG ARTIST FOR JAZZ 2022

Linda Sikhakhane is a South African born saxophonist, composer and arranger. He was born in Umlazi Township near Durban where his love for music was triggered at an early age. This saw him attending music classes at the age of 10 in Junior Primary and later took up jazz lessons under the tutelage of Dr Brian Thusi at the Siyakhula Music Center in his neighbourhood. He obtained a Diploma in Jazz /Popular Music at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal under Prof Mageshen Naidoo in 2012.

Sikhakhane has played and recorded with respected South African and international artists such as Brian Thusi,Barney Rachabane, Feya Faku, Marcus Wyatt, Herbie Tsoaeli, Andile Yenana, Nduduzo Makhathini, Afrika Mkhize, Sibongile Khumalo, Gregory Potter,Reggie Workman and many more.Sikhakhane won the SAMRO Overseas Scholarship in 2016 and in 2017 released his debut album titled ‘Two Sides ,One Mirror’ .

Linda re-located to New York in 2017 and enrolled at The New School University as a transfer student to complete his Bachelors degree in jazz ,he is studying with the great Billy Harper, David Schnitter & Reggie Workman. He studied further at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo

Gig Listing

15 May Wednesday 2024

UKZN, Centre for Jazz and Popular Music

University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Howard College Campus, Dennis Shepstone Building, Level 2

Doors open at 17:00, Music starts at 17:30

Online Tickets available on webtickets : https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/Event.aspx?itemid=1546990038

Door Bookings and more information, please contact zamat1@ukzn.ac.za

Tickets: R110, R80 for pensioners, R50 for students