Swazi reedman and vocalist ZwiLe Bhembe is preparing his debut Cape Town tour, which is set to take place on stages within and outside the Mother City. KEANETSE MOKHOTHU caught up with him virtually in Swaziland.
What is the ZwiLe Bhembe definition of South African jazz?
South African jazz to me is more like a lifestyle, a culture or even a true reflection of who we are as Africans. I say a lifestyle because when I was introduced to it, I was taught how to behave, dress and interact with South African jazz artists when playing their kind of jazz from my level of discipline and your attitude as a jazz musician. This I realized would affect my sound and the manner in which I would pass the message to future generations. McCoy Mrubata once said to me, “Ey Zwile yazi ucula kamnandi kanjani (Ey Zwile, do you know how wonderful you sing?). It is now time for you to speak using that instrument or voice. Let us hear your thoughts and your heart beat.”
As a young jazz player I used to not fully understand what he meant, but as I kept on listening to more and more South African jazz. I came to realise that there is so much that I as a Swazi jazz artist have in common with the fire and soul of SA jazz.
Whenever I play South African jazz, I feel original. I feel so organic and genuine. It is as if people were created to move, sing and dance like South Africans.
With your 2023 Cape Town tour being around the corner, what do you look out for regarding band members?
Before I say much on the band, I would like to introduce them: I have Phumla Dlamini on keys, Daniel Chulu on bass and Mayibongwe Nxumalo on drums. I will also be performing with various SA jazz musos throughout the tour. Back to your question. They say first impressions last and I believe that. I prefer musicians who bring their A game. This includes a positive attitude. Energy and vibes. Afterall, they don’t lie. Powerful stage presence is a must and it starts with a powerful off-stage presence. Knowing the music is another essential.
After hearing Tini-Groove, we’re curious to know more about your compositional style?
Tini-Groove is the suffix of Eswatini, Eswatini, my country of origin. The Groove part means this is how we groove as EmaSwati in my own interpretation. I wrote this piece thinking of how we were created and wired as Africans. I have noticed that there are certain sounds and beats that make us feel like “Now this is who we are”, so in this composition, I had the tempo a bit higher at 130bpm to portray a dance song.
There is a partial orchestral and melo break in the midsection which is an incorporation of other sounds that are not mainly African. I intend to one day play with a full orchestra, just to make the piece more colourful. I believe colour is important in the world of music as much as it is in the world of cooking. I considered the presentation and the overall taste of the song, but not too much hence I made that break.
Well, rhythm and colour are not always the centre of my writing as I sometimes deliberately give attention to the melody and harmony. I believe these elements are the ones that are in your face. In that case, they should tell a solid story and message that will speak to the soul.
With SA jazz having an array of subgenres, as a composer, which one resonates with you?
I would not say that I have a specific one I resonate under. Each time I play, there is always a different approach and selection of notes and scales in my playing depending on how I feel and what the song is saying to me. I mean, some of my records are Afro soul and jazzy. Some people think my smooth mbaqanga is amazing. Others say I have a good ear for marabi. In all I am honestly just caught in between. Playing all at once can come from the bottom of my heart. Perhaps one day I would be able to define my sound but for now, let the subgenres play! I love them all.
Growing up, I played a lot of marabi being mentored by one of the greatest trumpeters in Eswatini, Mr. Itallo Dlamini, but I also listened to a lot of South African Jazz from the likes of Jonas Gwangwa, Winston Mankunku Ngozi, Hugh Masekela and many more that added up in the colour of my playing.
What effect does mentorship have on an artist?
Mentorship is important to any upcoming artist. I mean you get to learn a lot from people who have walked the journey you are taking. For example, ZwiLe is a combination of the different types of experiences. The way I play, my tone, the texture is influenced by a combination of listening and being mentored by different musicians either melodically or rhythmically, coming together to form a beautifully unique musician.
Coming to image. You really cannot be someone you are not. I do not know if that makes any sense but inasmuch as we are inspired by our mentors, we cannot exactly look like them but we can pick out simple things like how to look smart, clean, and presentable to use all these principles which will make up who we are originally from within.
All these factors contribute in building a solid brand that will be exclusive and set apart from the millions and billions we have in the world. More than anything, I encourage learning from mentors and use all the information to boost and aid on the inner character – who is your original self. In that way you are able to sell out an image that is niche to the world.
What can we expect after your After the rain release?
Thank you so much, well now I am working on a full album which consists of Afro jazz, gospel jazz, to a little bit of house trap jazz which is an Atlanta/Georgia sound fused in with neo soul, jazz and trap music. I am also looking forward to doing more collaborations both locally and internationally and touring more of the world as well as sharing this little light of mine from the Kingdom of Eswatini within the globe.
ZwiLe Bhembe Cape Town gigs
The Commons
Friday, 16 June 2023, 8pm
R120
56 Beach Road, Muizenberg
Tickets Quicket
16 on Lerotholi Gallery
Saturday, 17 June 2023, 2pm
R50 adults, Free entry 18 – 35
16 Lerotholi Avenue, Langa
Tickets Quicket
Athletic Club & Social
Wednesday, 21 June 2023, 8pm
R120
35 Buitengracht Street, Cape Town
Tickets Quicket
Selective Live
Thursday, 22 June 2023, 8pm
R100
189 Buitengracht Street, Gardens
Tickets Quicket
Harrington’s Cocktail Lounge
Thursday, 29 June 2023, 4pm
Free
61B Harrington Street, District 6
Villa Viva
Friday, 30 June 2023, 7pm
R100, R150
74 New Church Street, Cape Town
Tickets Quicket, Door
Who: Saxophonist vocalist ZwiLe Bhembe
Albums: After the rain (EP)
Social Media: Facebook @ZwiLe, Instagram:@ZwiLe_sd, Twitter @ZwiLe_sd, TikTok @ZwiLe_sd
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