JANE MAYNE
Legacy is the pivot point of Billy Monama’s epic Guitar Convergence, which can soon be experienced live at the inaugural Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek (MJFSA), presented by Nedbank. Also featuring seminal guitarists Moss Mogale and Vusi Mahlasela, this collaborative showcase will highlight the humble six-string’s role as an emblem of cultural identity.
While these heavyweights can be seen on The Arches Main Stage, an added bonus for guitar lovers will be a showing by KwaZulu-Natal maskandi legend Madala Kunene, who appears with Sibusile Xaba at The Jazz Village in the NG Church Complex. Billy describes Kunene as “one of South Africa’s treasures” – making a pitstop to see this KZN pioneer well worthwhile.
Six-string nuances
In terms of stylistic differences for their Guitar Convergence set, Billy explains that, “Moss, comes from the traditional Wes Montgomery jazz sound. He was later influenced by Philip Thabane. Vusi comes from the folk tradition, and how he sings is poetic. He’s conscious about the music and lyrics. He sings about things that are affecting us as a society – he’s a social commentator. When I listen to his lyrics, they relate to the things that we go through as people. He doesn’t write lyrics for trending stuff like other musicians do today. I think Vusi is a meaningful musician to contribute to this.”
“Both Moss and Vusi come from Pretoria so I call them the ‘Giants of Mamelodi’, which is the biggest township in Pretoria. I also call them the ‘Sons of Malombo’, which means the music of healing. For myself, I’m a combination of the two.”
The trio’s MJFSA showcase will include a backing band. “We have a rhythm and brass section, so it’s a full-on band. Each of us will do our original material, and then we will meet at the point where we all play in one voice. So, what I usually do is to play my first set and then introduce Moss and Vusi. Then we will all be there with the band – It’s going to be crazy! On our previous stage experience people wanted more, and I hope that in Franschhoek the audience will be wanting more.”
“A distinctive sound that captured the world”
Much of Billy’s impetus in music-making is to reconnect people with their musical heritage, and as a historian, this was cemented with the publication of his 2022 tutorial book, Introduction to South African Guitar Styles Vol.1 – Five Decades of Ukuvamba. What is the dialogue that he now wants to elicit in the Guitar Convergence format?
“The guitar has been one of the instruments that carries the memory of South African music. For example, if you go to KwaZulu-Natal, the guitar starts the intro and it gives an identity of the culture. This time around I thought, let me take the guitar to the north, that is Pretoria – the musicians who came from the northern province, Limpopo. If we speak about guitar players who contributed to the shaping of culture in South Africa, there was a style of music called mbaqanga played by Marks Mankwane. Then we had icons like Philip Thabane. They have a distinctive sound that captured the world. So, this time around I said, let me feature those guys.”
“Moss Mogale and Vusi Mahlasela, they are the protégés of that guitar legacy. I’m just a continuation of the legacy of what has been existing. So that is what this project is about. I believe that I’m the custodian that is going to keep this legacy alive because I’m the youngest of them. So should they go, at least their legacy is with me, and we’re going to keep it forward.”
Billy explains: “This happens all the time from generation to generation. An example from the US is the legacy of Nat King Cole, which is being kept alive by various artists who’ve done tributes to him. The latest Nat King Cole project was done by Gregory Porter. Doing a tribute doesn’t mean that an artist is less of an artist. It is artists who love themselves and their country and are preserving their culture. So that is why we are doing this project.”
What material can we expect to hear at Guitar Convergence? “I’m going to do material from my album The Y Factor and from the Rebounce. Moss only has one album, so we’re going to only do three songs, and for bra Vusi Mahlasela we’re going to pick up two songs that are favourites, because he has a long catalogue. He is over 40 albums, so it was difficult for me to choose which one I can tell you! It takes us about a week to finally agree on the songs, because he goes, ‘Yes, Billy. No, Billy, I don’t want that.’ And then we finally agree! So, we’re going to do each of our material, then the three of us together, which makes like a proper one hour.”
After his appearance in Franschhoek, Billy is staging The Rebirth of Ubuntu concert on 29 May, 2026. But in the meantime, he’s eagerly anticipating Salif Keita’s show at MJFSA. He adds: “It will also be great to see Mandisi Dyantyis in that setting. And for myself, I’m looking forward to performing in the Winelands, where I hardly ever perform.”
See all the Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek acts here.
Read more about Billy Monama’s work here.
How to book Montreux Franschhoek tickets: Here.
What: Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek (MJFSA)
Montreux Franschhoek interview: Billy Monama Guitar Convergence
When is the Montreux Franschhoek Festival: 27 – 29 March 2026
Where: Franschhoek, Western Cape, South Africa
Website: http://www.mjfsa.com/
Instagram: @mjffranschhoek
Facebook: Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek
X (Twitter): @mjffranschhoek
TikTok: @montreuxjazzfestivalsa
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