Chromatic marimba player BONGANI SOTSHONONDA will tour to Toulouse, France next month. He’ll be joined by jazz pianist Nobuhle Ashanti in an Artscape initiative which facilitates meetings with musicians from different parts of the world. He’ll also appear at Hazendal Wine Estate with his United Nations of Africa Band. KEANETSE MOKHOTHU finds out more.
What’s central to your playing?
That music is a positive force in the world today. It is a gift given to us and I feel that I have the responsibility to use the music to inspire and spread positive messages to the world at large, and also to create connections amongst the people.
What quality do you look for in your musical collaborators?
I always look for people who are a joy to work with. Professional, good spirited individuals and talented too of course. However, I believe that talent alone is not enough one maybe the most skilled or talented musician, but arrogant or difficult to work with. I also look for musicians that are open-minded.
Are you just streaming intuitively – how do you approach everything?
Well, as artists we are sort of 80/20 intuitive (80% intuitive) music is a mysterious force, it is a spiritual and emotional force, it is not really something we need to think about too much. If you think about it too much, you will never do it. Your brain will always find reasons not to do it. So, you have to trust your heart and allow the music to be authentic in the way it comes out.
When it comes to approaching other things besides the music, we need to fit who we are into other people’s lives such as their self-discipline, communication skills etc. These factors become important as we cannot just follow our instincts and say; “I cannot do those emails now I feel like playing my marimba.” Sometimes you have to just realize that your commitments to people also mean that you cannot always follow your intuitions. I think at times too, it is just about honouring your relationship with people.
In your solos do you feel you are entering uncharted territory?
I do not really think the geometry of jazz is mapped out because I think all jazz music is diverse it’s all over the map. There are jazz musicians who play free jazz without any regard for musical traditions. Then there are those who play what they call jazz and it is just a pop song without lyrics and the melody.
There are also those who are trying to use jazz as a way of attaining commercial success for the sake of selling out. So all these kind of musicians and the types of jazz exist. So, there is no mapped-out path, it is a whole landscape. A whole world of diversity and I really think particularly people like myself are on uncharted territory.
There is nobody that I know of in South Africa or perhaps on the continent who can say they have done what I am doing. Yes, they have done something else and inspired me but in terms of my own pathway, it follows me behind. There is nothing in front of me but a wild jungle and I am making my way to try and find the path and will make mistakes in the process. When playing my solos, I try to find something unexplored. I am following my curiosity and not following formulas.
Do you think you have limitations?
Not at all, the sky is the limit. I am always eager to learn, explore and discover new musical genres, techniques, meet and collaborate with other musicians regardless of the cultural differences. A good example is Magda de Vries. She is a South African classically trained marimba player.
How are you expanding on your past album, Bongani Sotshononda’s Indigenous Orchestra live in Cape Town Vol. 1. – will there be Vol. 2?
Yes, there is. I am already working with Professor Mike Campbell on the Vol 2. This one will be an even bigger big band jazz project.
Do you listen to other chromatic marimba / xylophone/ vibraphone players?
Yes, I listen to a great deal of other South African musicians. That is where I draw some inspiration and learn new techniques from.
Hear Bongani Sotshononda’s United Nations of Africa Band at Hazendal Wine Estate on Wednesday, 25 May 2022 from 5.30pm. The band features Bongani Sotshononda on chromatic marimba / vibraphone, Damian Kamineth on drums, Ricky Kleinsmith on keys, Willie Haubrich on horn, and Stephen de Souza on double bass.
Who: Bongani Sotshononda
When: 25 May 2022, 5.30pm
Where: Hazendal Wine Estate, Bottelary Rd, Brackenfell South, Stellenbosch
Tickets: 021 205 5620, bookings@hazendal.co.za
WS
