Bassist, composer and bandleader Mlungisi Gegana is setting Cape Town stages ablaze this April 2023 with new music performed with his newly minted ensemble, The Mlungisi Gegana Band. The tour will also focus on workshopping fresh works composed over a number of years with students from The Mlungisi Gegana Music Academy. KEANETSE MOKHOTHU rang him up to find out more about the man behind the music before he kicks off his mini tour.
I ask a with “a city where it began” in mind – what is your definition of South African jazz?
South African jazz has its own unique space in the jazz art form around the world. Most of our jazz musicians in the country are heavily influenced by our different cultures. If you go to Cape Town for an example, you can hear jazz music is influenced by goema.
In the Eastern Cape, you will hear more of umngqungqo (Rhythm) and umxhentso (Xhosa Dance), that has a big influence in South African jazz. We have a younger generation of jazz musicians that are collaborating with international musicians, where a new approach to jazz is being introduced to the world.
Which direction has the sound of our jazz as a country taken and why?
We are influenced by the recordings we listen to and our cultures. As a composer, I draw a lot of inspiration from my daily life experiences. The music comes in different forms. Sometimes it starts with a bassline, that could also be the melody, or stay as a bassline, I just work on harmony.
A big part of my compositions is not much influenced by what every jazz musician is doing. In most cases the melody I sing to myself, is the one that determines the direction to take as far as the composition is concerned.
What are your reasons for the selection of musos in your band?
I select musicians that fit the particular style that the composition requires.
Consistent career longevity, how can an artist achieve this?
To stay longer in this industry, an artist has to be very professional, humble, keep on learning and have a lot of respect.
What has your experience taught you – what does it continue to teach you?
Life is beautiful, and short at the same time do your best to give meaning to life and respect the music, more specially a fellow human being.
Is there an album follow up to I Am Who Am I that we can expect anytime soon?
Yes, there is a follow up. The music has been written and ready to be recorded, that is why I will be visiting the Eastern Cape and Cape Town between March and April. The reason is to workshop the music with different musicians in both provinces.
Mlungisi Gegana Band Cape Town Tour
The Athletic Club & Social
Wednesday, 5 April 2023, 7pm
R150
35 Buitengracht Street, Cape Town
Tickets Quicket
Grub & Vine: Blue Room
Thursday, 6 April 2023, 7pm
R150
103 Bree Street, Cape Town
Tickets, 087 153 5244
The Bijou
Saturday, 8 April 2023, 2pm
R150 (Online), R180 (Door)
178 Lower Main Road, Observatory
Tickets Quicket, Door
Guga’sthebe Arts & Culture Heritage Village
Sunday, 9 April 2023, 2pm
R100 (pensioners, students), R120
Washington Street, Langa
Tickets Quicket
Who: Bassist Mlungisi Gegana
Albums: One Step Forward, I Am Who Am I
Social media: Facebook Mlungisi Gegana, Twitter @mlungisigegana, YouTube Mlungisi Gegana
WS
