BY Nkosazana Ngwadla
Award-winning jazz pianist was awarded a PhD at Stellenbosch University (SU) this week during the March graduation ceremonies. Pianist, composer, producer, educator and researcher Nduduzo Makhathini is a leading figure in the South African jazz scene with many accolades to his name. And now he’ll be able to add another title – Dr Makhathini.
The award-winning musician regularly tours internationally and is the first South African jazz artist to be signed to the prestigious Blue Note jazz record label. Nduduzo has collaborated with many renowned artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Shabaka Hutchings, Nasheet Waits, Somi and Black Coffee.
In addition to his prolific performance career, he is the Head of the Music Department at the University of Fort Hare. At SU, Makhathini pursued an integrated PhD, which refers to degrees where artistic practice and writing are employed as two modalities that mutually inform and articulate a single research project.
The jazz giant who hails from uMgungundlovu in KwaZula-Natal, describes himself as a healer, improviser and scholar. “I’m interested in improvisations in South African jazz and fellowships with spirituality. This comes from an upbringing in a musical family and community, and the blessing of learning about sound in a ritual context. These interests have led to a long itinerary of searching all around the world,” he told SU.
You might think he’s done, but there’s no stopping Nduduzo from exploring more as he would love an opportunity to travel to West Africa to learn about the practices of that region’s griots, who function as storytellers, singers, musicians and oral historians.
