From drummer to vocalist, Lilavan Gangen wears many hats. These he will showcase on stages in and around Cape Town with The Nomadic Orchestra, The Unity Band and more. KEANETSE MOKHOTHU chatted to him.
Being, a drummer, percussionist, vocalist, teacher, composer, arranger and side man – what is your definition of SA jazz?
South African Jazz is, like its American counterpart, hard to define because of the broad spectrum of sound it explores. There is the Afro-pop sound that was popularised by Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba, and the Cape jazz sound associated with Abdullah Ibrahim, Winston Mankunku Ngozi and Errol Dyers. Then there is a long lineage of musicians who explored American harmony and its synthesis with African melodies and rhythms.
My generation of South African jazz musicians have been inspired by all of these diverse local sounds, along with our own exposure to American jazz and new global pop culture trends.
In its current space, I would describe South African jazz as a music that helps South African artists explore cultural identity – as individuals or a collective – by incorporating ideas from places that inspire us; whether that be big band jazz, hip hop or indigenous music from around the world.
What makes SA jazz and its subgenres stand out from American jazz and Cuban jazz for example, besides the obvious country and culture?
Storytelling. Whether it is expressed in words through vocal music or a collective painting a musical picture, there is a pronounced emphasis on storytelling and expression.
What makes South African subgenres unique from your perspective as a composer?
The depth that you can go into on each style is scary. You can easily find yourself tumbling down a YouTube rabbit hole of just vamp-based ‘trancy’ African jazz – especially by artists who were in exile during the Apartheid years – Chris McGregor & The Brotherhood of Breath, Abdullah Ibrahim (Black Lightning, Hajj), and Bheki Mseleku, etc. You could look into the Afro-pop jazz sound, how these compositions are produced, and the numerous artists that have been inspired by it, who have gone on to have successful commercial careers.
The fact that each subgenre exists with their own set of audiences is proof of the beauty in diversity. This is why local jazz festivals are so important. It is the one time all of these different crowds and movements (artists included) are engaging with sounds outside of their respective comfort zones.
As a composer and arranger what is your style?
At the moment, I have found myself writing “riff-based” compositions. So, I will take a melody and allow it to find some kind of cyclical pattern, which we then expand on as an ensemble and solo on. This is based on melodic concepts found in indigenous music from Africa and India, as well as modal jazz.
However, I do have a soft spot for larger ensemble arrangements. This is 100% due to my love for big band music, and growing up playing arrangements by Mike Campbell and Darryl Andrews.
Why is there an enduring notion that drummers are incapable of being composers too?
I think it is to do with the fact that drummers naturally engage less with melody and harmony than other musicians. But we are still exposed to the music and have our own way of accessing it, and therefore our own way of creating new music.
There is an amazing local collection of drummer bandleaders and composers, including Kesivan Naidoo, Ayanda Sikade, Lumanyano Unity Mzi, Tefo Mahola, Frank Paco, Asher Gamedze, and Louis Moholo-Moholo.
How do we get more female drummers in the SA jazz industry?
If we are serious about wanting more female musicians (not just drummers) in the jazz scene, it is important to get women to start playing jazz from a young age. I went to an all-boys school, started playing in a jazz band in junior school, and by high school I was playing an array of “serious” jazz, while accompanying other students, transcribing solos and playing jazz standards. It was incredibly normal for me to have done that 10 years ago, while our girls’ schools are now only starting up jazz programs. There is progress. It is slow, but I am optimistic of the changes we are going to see in the forthcoming years.
The Lilavan Gangen debut album – what is cooking in that particular kitchen, when will you possibly dish?
This is a long-term project for me. Composition is a way for me to explore and express my experiences as I experience them, not a product I am pushing to get onto an album, yet.
Since I finished college, my mission has been to play with as many musicians as possible so I can learn different ways of working and exploring sound. That is something I have been doing pretty successfully.
My current goal is to find a way of working in the industry that feeds me artistically and financially. This includes being a sideman, a teacher, and curating cultural performances in the Indian community of Cape Town. The next couple years will see me growing with my bands Nomadic Orchestra, Oceanico, and The Unity Band, while exploring my own compositions as a bandleader.
Upcoming Gigs
Barrydale Unplugged62 Festival
With The Nomadic Orchestra
Monday, 20 March 2023, 6pm
R80
Joubert Tradauw Vineyards, R62, Barrydale
Tickets Quicket
Guga’sthebe Arts & Culture Heritage Village
The Unity Band Breaking of Bread Album Launch Picnic
Tuesday, 21 March 2023, 6pm
R150
Washington Street, Langa
Tickets Quicket
Chisholm Recital Room
SACM Lunch-hour Concert with Mike Rossi Project: Roots & Routes
Thursday, 23 March 2023, 1pm
Woolsack Drive, South African College of Music, Lower Campus, UCT
Free admission
Concerts in the Park
The Nomadic Orchestra
Sunday, 26 March 2023, 10am
R129 (online), R150 (park gate)
De Waal Park, Oranjezicht
Tickets Quicket, Park Gate
The Hazendal Jazz Club
The Mike Rossi Project
Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 5h30pm
R595
Hazendal Wine Estate, Ronelle Street via Kruis Street, Stellenbosch
Tickets bookings@hazendal.co.za
Alma Café (Afrikalia Duo)
Friday, 31 March 2023, 6h30pm
R180
20 Alma Road, Rosebank
Tickets bookings@hazendal.co.za
Who: Drummer Lilavan Gangen
Social media: Facebook Lilavan Gangen Music, Instagram @youcancallmelilavan
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