The Awakening with Zuko Komisa: Recent Episodes
Jazzuary FM
The Awakening of the African Diaspora with Zuko Komisa is a show that explores the rich eclectic sound of the African continent.
Zuko Komisa’s passion for the African continent stems from his work in the media space as a journalist and content curator; a believer in the shared destiny of all Africans.
He takes listeners through a journey that travels the length and breadth of the continent through conversations and music.
Connecting Africans across the continent through a dialogue on what makes us truly proud to be African, exploring exciting foods, cultures, ideas from the African Diaspora.
Special thanks to Saxophonist, flutists extraordinaire Mthunzi Mvubu part member of Shabaka and The Ancestors. Mthunzi Mvubu was born and raised in Daveyton where he started his music career at the age of 14. In his early teens he enrolled for music classes at the Music Academy of Gauteng in Daveyton under the mentorship of Dr. Johnny Mekoa where he studied music theory and piano
Thembeka Tabia Khumalo is an incredible Afropop, Jazz and Soul musician, with a majestic delivery. Zuko caught up with her on the Awakening Of The African Diaspora.
Rikki Stein has been involved in many aspects of the entertainment industry in the UK and Nigeria. He has been employed by record companies as a producer in both France and the United States. He has arranged and presented concerts and tours for countless distinguished artists, performing at prestigious venues throughout the world.
Gifted with a multi-colored, intrepid voice and a talent for writing songs that reflect on the daily life and unique culture of the people of his homeland, Bholoja (Mbongiseni Ngubane) is one of Swaziland's greatest artists. Blending of Southern African traditions, including mbira, sitolotolo, and the traditional drumming styles, has created such a unique sound that is appreciated by audiences of different races.
Kyekyeku, a 'wizard with the guitar' is from a new generation of Ghanaian musicians who makes the distant past meet contemporary idioms of West Africa's big musical heritage.
Nomzi sings without filters, connecting with her audiences with a melancholic soulful sound and a strikingly earthy vocal identity that is hers. A singer, songwriter, poet and painter of emotions, her neo-soul pop ballads are about love and resilience and about how she is overcoming trauma and addiction.
Shef and the kitchen joined Zuko on The Awakening of The African Diaspora to talk about their journey, 7-year together, their first album The First Recipe with an exclusive live performance
Shef and the Kitchen, is all the way from the dusty streets of Orange Farm, an Afro jazz funk band with a rich body of work featuring songs with original lyrics that combine isiZulu, Setswana and English.
Composer, Music Director and Producer Lebo Morolo one of South Africa’s Best & Respected Producer & Keyboard Player, he is always referred to as a ‘Keyboard Specialist’. All the way from Pretoria, raised in Marapyane near Hammanskraal, a graduate of the at Crescendo Music School, Ochrim School of Music. He joins Zuko Komisa on the Awakening of The African Diaspora, to talk about his new album ‘The Other Box Project’.
As we approached the end of Heritage Month. The Awakening of The African Diaspora with Zuko Komisa spoke to South African multi-instrumentalist, jazz musician and producer, legendary Pops Mohamed about the heritage of Jazz music, bridging the gap between generations and the story behind the re-released Kalamazoo album.
Alan Webster is the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Festival as well as an educator with a vast experience in the jazz landscape in South Africa. We spoke to him ahead og this year’s Standard Bank Joy Of Jazz on the Awakening Of The African Diaspora.
Sibusile Xaba carries forth the Maskandi / Mbaqanga tradition of the KwaZulu Natal midlands, from where he originates. Steeped in the lineage of Zulu guitar giant Madala Kunene (Sibusile’s first mentor) & warrior chants of vocal master, Shaluza Max, he not only owns these influences, but pushes the envelope as only a maestro with a keen ear for the future does. He joins Zuko Komisa on The Awakening Of The African Diaspora
Mimi Mtshali joins the Awakening of The African Diaspora with Zuko Komisa, as we end off a month long celebration of women in jazz. She is young overly talented award winning jazz songstress, with a passion for music. She shared more about her debut album “Essence of my soul” as well as her latest offering “My Love”. Her love for the genre evolved to her role as a teacher of the music, inspired by the like Mirriam Makeba, Caiphus Semenya, Hugh Masekela she has crafted her own sound over the years to the delight of her ever-expanding audience.
Nirvana Nokuthula Nokwe-Mseleku better known as Nirvana Nokwe is a South African a born artist, producer, songwriter, actress, and filmmaker. She grew up in Johannesburg although she associates more with her roots in KwaMashu and Lamtonville EThekwini. Nirvana has been privileged with the first-hand exposure and experience of the arts through her family – namely her mother Tu Nokwe, father Bheki Mseleku, aunt Marilyn Nokwe, and her grandparents Patty and Alfred Nokwe. She joins Zuko on the Awakening of The African Diaspora.
Masechaba & The Soul Peanuts is a South African band, that incorporates aspects of Jazz, Neo-Soul and Afro-Soul to perform original pieces/songs. Mesechaba who is the lead vocalist says the band reflects womanhood and South Sotho roots, through language and compositional styles and techniques. Their music advocates for creatively disseminate black consciousness and female empowerment. She joins The Awakening of the African Diaspora with her band for a conversation and performance on Jazzuary FM.
Lindelwe ‘Lindi’ Ngonelo started playing the piano at the age of 12, graduated with a Bachelor or Practical Music (Honours) from the University of Kwazulu Natal majoring in Jazz Performance. She was part of the all-female jazz band Heels Over Head from 2009 to 2013 which was nominated for a SAMA (South African Music Award) in 2011 in the category Best Contemporary Jazz. Ngonelo believes music is about feeling more than hearing and that Jazz is fundamental to all genres of music. She joins Zuko on the Awakening Of the African Diaspora on Jazzuary FM.
Mabatho and Dineo Masopha are sisters who both members of an exclusive five-piece female Afro centric band Basadi Women of Jazz. Mabatho Masopha founder of Basadi (Flautist & Lead Vocals) Dineo (Percussionist and Backing vocals) both sisters from a musical family, their late father Moses Buti Masopha was a drummer and Saxophonist, having been in the music industry for the past 18 years their hard working performing and traveling around the globe to 28 countries. They join Zuko on the Awakening of The African Diaspora on Jazzuary.FM.
Pamela Mpanza is an incredible vocalist whose voice conjures up every emotion, with her music has an African feel spiced with motivation that appeals to both the young and old. She has a deep love for African music, her great achievement thus far had performing on a tour in Gemerny and Switizaland with an orchestra called Imagi, she joins Zuko on The Awakening of the African Diaspora on Jazzuary.FM
Ndo Dlakadla has pioneered her career around an original fusion of jazz, soul, and gospel. A nominee at the Africa Gospel Music Awards for ‘Best Gospel Jazz Artist’, her event 'Ndo Dlakadla Hosts' live sessions are an all live showcase of her fellow artists' music to an intimate and VIP audience. She joins Zuko Komisa on the Awakening to share her journey as we celebrate Women in Jazz.
Vuyokazi Tshaya is an agent of love and hope, her music accentuates Afrocentric nostalgia. Her latest offering Uthando(love), Tshepo Tshola, Sliq Angel, Sipho Nkosiyane, George Munetsi, praise poet Jessica Mbangeni and Khaya Mahlangu a highly esteemed Saxophonist. She joins Zuko Komisa to talk through her album and her ultimate musical inspiration.
Siyabonga Mthembu is a representative of a band called 'The Brother Moves On’ joins Zuko Komisa on The Awakening of The African Diaspora. The band’s sound is a tradition-trouncing trans-Atlantic Afro-centric futuristically ancient fusion that jack knifes between offworld spectral dub-metal, hyperrhythmic rock psychedelia, indie-township, and astro-afro-free-jazz.
NjabuloSeh Musician NjabuloSeh joins Zuko Komisa on The Awakening of The African Diaspora. his beautiful voice to present a soulful, authentic, and distinctly South African sound. He describes his music as “Rich, buttery soul with layers of funk, jazz and a kwaito bounce delivered mostly ngesiZulu”
Zu is a singer, song-writer, composer, and actress whose husky voice, infectious personality, fierce intellect, and passion for social justice permeate every platform she steps on. He joins The Awakening with Zuko Komisa to talk about her upcoming Trilogy EP
Thami Shobede is a South African singer , presenter and actor. He joins Zuko on The Awakening to chat about his upcoming project, music and his journey post Idols
Musician, vocalist and performer chats to Zuko on her current collaboration with uKhoiKhoi - Yogin Sullaphen, The Rise of the African Queer, and her upcoming work at the Grahamstown Arts Festival on ‘Pink Money’
Albert Silindokuhle Ibokwe Khoza is a proudly gay, black performance artist, dancer, activist and inyanga. He was in conversation with Zuko on the inspiration behind his art, how he connects with his audience and his journey of healing.
Sun Xa Experiment is a 7 piece Ancestral spiritual band from South Africa who cater music for healing purposes. Their music aims for healing and uplifting with the goal of playing stages throughout the country and remote stages that are not commercially known. Sun Xa Experiment share their story on The Awakening on Jazzuary.FM
Frank Leya is the CEO of Honest Travel Experience which is based in the Windybrow Arts Centre in HIllbrow, Johannesburg. He spoke about traveling around Africa and experiences tailored for authentic travel; the work that is being done in the space to uplift the youth in the community in the inner-city. As well as the food tours in and around the inner-city.
From a young age Qhawekazi Mene unequivocally knew she was destined to be the ‘next big thing’ in the entertainment industry. Qhawekazi believes she was born a singer as she has been singing for as long as she can remember. Qhawekazi is a South African born artist. Her abilities include being a vocalist, radio host, guitarist, bead maker, filmmaker and actress in training.
Sampa the Great to make her Johannesburg debut at Untitled Basement on Friday 31 May 2019 to celebrate her first shows on African soil. Sampa the Great has a penchant for poetry and weaves lyrical mazes with her verses, drawing listeners into a lush, imaginative world. Her music bonds from spoken-word to rap, with stops at psychedelic and blues along the way; it’s the sound of an adventurous young mind pushing out against all boundaries. Born in Zambia, she was then raised in Botswana. Music was immersed within her family life and at the age of 22, Sampa left home and moved to Australia to further her musical studies.
Tebogo Gantsa is a journalist/digital media producer at Frayintermedia. Frayintermedia is a pan African media organisation focusing on changing the narrative about Africa and allowing her people to tell their own stories. Tebogo's first love is writing. On on a normal working day his writing explores the impact institutions, policies and regulations have on development. He is currently writing on climate change for the SADC Groundwater Management Institute, focusing on how the devastation in Mozambique and Durban could be avoided if we take proper care of our environment. Most importantly, he loves jazz. Religiously! He explores how important jazz devices like spontaneity and improvisation are part of ordinary people's experiences and how the writer can infuse these in their interpretation of real life.
The Marabi Club is the home of superb food and drink accompanied by fine live jazz performances. Visible from the street only by the discreet black canopy above a small metal door in Doornfontein, downtown Johannesburg, the Marabi Club harks back to a vibrant history.Today the Marabi Club, tucked into the basement of award-winning British-Ghanaian architect David Adjaye’s Hallmark House, also a boutique hotel, evokes this history through the many careful details of the club’s interior. Add excellent food, a long bar, jauntily dressed wait staff offering friendly and slick service, and live jazz and you’ll get why most people who visit this Maboneng landmark remark on the electric atmosphere.