Matchume from Maputo and Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane from Durban explore new musical horizons
Nzango Artist Residency and iSupport Creative Business present the Ponte-Maputo Durban project, a unique exchange opportunity involving two musicians and a photographer taking place throughout the month of June. The two musicians, multi-instrumentalist Matchume and pianist Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane, will be spending a week in the Nzango Artist Residency in Maputo where they will be composing new works. Audiences in Mozambique will experience the outcome of this exchange through live performances on 21 June at Hotel Terminus and 22 June at Uptown Café. Durban audiences can enjoy the new compositions on 28 June at Alliance Francaise de Durban, on 29 June at Seaman’s Corner in Hammarsdale and The Chairman in Durban and on 30 June at Artizen Lounge in KwaMashu.
In both cities the musicians, who each have an extensive teaching experience, will hold a masterclass of ”South African Jazz” and “Percussions”. The whole process will be documented by photographer Simanga Zondo.
Bringing together pianist Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane and multi-instrumentalist Matchume Zango not only means bringing together two talented musicians, but also academics in their own right. Interestingly, both artists are characterised by the importance of cultural experiences in their musical compositions; Mashiloane by working on an authentic South African Jazz influenced sound and Matchume by recreating traditional Chopi music from Mozambique in a more contemporary and accessible way. The project aims to be a catalyst to build bridges between the two cities- Maputo and Durban- and related cultures, that will also encourage future collaboration beyond this project.
“It is needed for creatives in these two cities to get to know each other and create interaction between them as it will expand market access for creatives and at the same time enrich and diversify the cultural offer in both cities.” Says Marlyn Ntsele from iSupport Creative Business.
“I am looking forward to exchanging ideas, improvising, exploring new musical horizons and to create musical vibrations on stage with Mash.” Says Matchume.
“It is always a great experience for me to exchange ideas with other musicians. Even more so when it is someone from another African country. Working with Matchume will teach me about new musical influences and at the same I will learn more about my own musical identity.” Says Mashiloane.
Born and raised in Maputo, Mozambique, master timbila player and percussionist Cândido Salomão Zango, also known as Matchume, is well known in the Southern African region for his many collaborations with international musicians and his spectacular timbila and dance shows. Matchume has dedicated himself to Mozambican traditional music and dance since the age of six. His parents and grandparents are originally from Zavala, Inhambane Province, which is the center of Timbila, a marimba-style instrument which is revered as part of Mozambique’s national patrimony. Inspired by this long and passionate tradition of music, Matchume began to play, study music and produce traditional instruments. Matchume earned his Bachelor in Music Performance at University of Cape Town (UCT) where he was also employed as a lecturer and is currently enroled in his Masters degree. In Maputo he is owner of the Nzango Artist Residency and founding member of the band Timbila Muzimba and the Warethwa Cultural Association.
Fresh from a SAMA25 nomination, Mashiloane’s third album release Closer to Home comes at a season in Sibusiso Mash Mashloane’s career where he wants to zoom into his social and musical identity. Being born in Mpumalanga province, surrounded by Ndebele, Pedi and Swati people and later moving to KwaZulu-Natal, he observed that each society breathes its own character: “If that character is not embraced the significance of being part of it is lost” says Mashiloane. All the cultures he experienced have their own transitional, cultural practices, which gives birth to new societies of mixed cultures and traditions. You can clearly hear this in Closer to Home, which is a culmination of all the musical dialects and the characteristics of the communities he has stayed and shared with. It is however not a complete reflection, but a serious starting point, which he trusts to attain a better understanding and revelations through his studies and musical encounters.
Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane is a prolific artist whose academic credentials speak volume for the kind of passion and discipline he has for music. He has a Masters in Jazz Performance and graduated Cum Laude from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Mash is an integral performer and has been well received by audiences while touring the country and beyond to promote his albums Amanz’ Olwandle (2016), Rotha – A Tribute to Mama (2017) and Closer to Home (2018). Amanz’ Olwandle won two Mzantsi Jazz Awards for Best Jazz album and Rotha won the prestigious international Afrima Awards in the categories of best Best African Jazz. Closer to Home is currently nominated for a SAMA Award for Best Jazz Album. Not only is Mash a great artist in this very vibrant time in South African jazz music, he is also a teacher with a focused goal to help grow talent from a firm foundation of African Roots. He lectures at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and Durban Music School. His focus is to teach and organise live music performances with his students, focusing on South African composers. Mashiloane is currently doing his PhD which looks at the musical construction of home through a South African Jazz Lens.
The Matchume-Mashiloane project, titled Ponte Maputo-Durban, is supported by the British Council through its Developing Inclusive Creative Economies program (DICE), in partnership with Hivos, Electric South and Enthuse Africa. Ponte Maputo-Durban was one of 10 hubs to receive the connect.hubs Collaboration grant, valued between £2,000 – £10,000 per grant, in Southern Africa – providing small grants for short term collaborative projects and mobility grants between hubs. The core of the DICE programme through connect.hubs is to support social and creative hubs as drivers and supporters of entrepreneurship for social change and creative impact.
Developing Inclusive and Creative Economies (DICE) Programme supports the growth of creative and social enterprises at systemic, institutional and individual levels as a means of addressing entrenched social problems and supporting youth employment, gender equality and greater opportunities for people with disabilities and members of marginalized communities. South Africa is one of five emerging economies that were targeted for the rollout of the programme – including Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, and Pakistan
Concerts SA is excited to be affiliated with this project. The concerts at Seaman’s Corner and Artizen Lounge are part of the Concerts SA Venue Circuit which aims to foster a love and support for live music in our communities, as well as anchor small and medium sized venues in urban and rural Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape. Both artsist have also had the opportunity to tour with support from the Concers SA touring fund, the Music Mobility Fund
Concerts SA is a joint South African/Norwegian live music development project housed within the SAMRO Foundation. Concerts SA receives financial, administrative and technical support from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, SAMRO, the SAMRO Foundation and Concerts Norway. Working with musicians, promoters, venue owners and audiences, and providing support to the sector through research and skills development for music professionals, the project aims to build a vibrant and viable live music circuit in southern Africa. It also aims to develop an interest in and appreciation of live music by showcasing music performances and conducting workshops at schools.
For more information please visit our website http://concertssa.co.za, follow @ConcertsSA on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ConcertsSA or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ConcertsSA.
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The Matchume-Mashiloane Project
