Discipline of Music

Three UKZN Bachelor of Arts (Music) graduates had the opportunity to participate in an international music experience called ETHNO which took place in Zimbabwe in September 2023. ETHNO is a programme for folk, world and traditional music founded in 1990 and present today in over 40 countries. It is aimed at young musicians up to

The University’s African Music Project held its 18th annual African Cultural Calabash festival at the Howard College Theatre on Friday, 17 November 2023. A long-standing event on Durban’s cultural and arts calendar, this year’s festival included a new dynamic orchestral element owing to funding from the Mzansi Philharmonic. This was captured by the theme: New

South African House musician, Mr Zakhele Madida known onstage as Zakes Bantwini, recently won his first Grammy award. He shares the award with flautist, Wouter Kellerman, and vocalist, Nomcebo Zikode. The trio won the Best Global Music Performance award for their hit Bayethe at the 65th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California. The song,

UKZN Jazz lecturer in the School of Arts Mr Sibusiso ‘Mash’ Mashiloane has been nominated for a South African Music Award (SAMA) in the Best Jazz category for his sixth album: Music From My People Other nominees in the category are Herbie Tsoaeli, Steve Dyer, Jimmy Dludlu and McCoy Mrubata. ‘I am so thankful for

UKZN Jazz lecturer, pianist and composer Mr Sibusiso Mashiloane has released his sixth album, Music from My People which reflects his sonic collaboration, travel, intergenerational inspiration and influence. ‘This album is a multifaceted vessel and sonic document that archives some of the sounds people have used and continue to use as a testimony of their

The African Music Outreach Community Development Class within the School of Arts hosted its 16th African Cultural Calabash Festival under the theme of Sounds of Peace Imvunge Yokuthula. The event featured local artists including Mjolisi, a maskandi guitarist; Mandisa, a spiritual African indigenous vocalist; Victor Sithole, a player of a variety of indigenous African instruments

Jazz lecturer Mr Neil Gonsalves; vocalist and UKZN alumnus Zoe the Seed, and music duo N’den have partnered with Concerts SA for a series of three live performances at UKZN’s Centre for Jazz and Popular Music in a resumption of the Centre’s popular Trios concerts. Performances are scheduled for 3, 10 and 17 November. The

UKZN alumnus Mr Bethuel Tshoane (lead guitar) won second place at the 3rd Unisa National Strings Competition that showcases the talent and experience of young South African classical and jazz string players. The competition, held at the Z K Matthews Great Hall in Pretoria, had two categories: classical (violin/cello) and jazz (guitar/bass). Tshoane took home

Jazz lecturer Mr Sibusiso Mashiloane has won Best Contemporary Jazz Album at the 2021 Mzantsi Jazz Awards for his fifth album titled iHubo Labomdabu (Native Hymns), a solo piano set featuring music composed during the lockdown. ‘This album is informed by an imagination of my personal life experiences, political climate and imposed lifestyle,’ said Mashiloane.

The College of Humanities recently hosted a virtual public lecture as part of a Transformation and Leadership Lecture Series exploring the topic: Over the Rainbow: Dialogues on Racism in South Africa’s Higher Education System during this Decolonial Moment. The lecture featured Professor Tendayi Sithole of the University of South Africa (UNISA) and Professor Robin DG Kelley,