The Arts Lounge with Spha Mdlalose: Recent Episodes
Jazzuary FM
Spha (Siphathisene) Mdlalose is a jazz singer, songwriter and voice over artist who was born in Durban in the township of Umlazi. She was accepted into the University of Cape Town’s South African College of Music in 2006, to study her Bachelor of Music degree majoring in Jazz Vocal performance. To date, Spha has performed alongside Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Micasa, Oliver Mthukudzi, Neo Muyanga, Zwai Bala, Sibongile Khumalo, Kabomo, Afrotraction, Monique Bingham and other formidable artists in the music industry.
Spha has performed at the Cape Town International Jazz festival on numerous occasions and performed as a solo act at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival’s free concert alongside US soul singers Allan Stone and Patti Austin. She was also fortunate to tour with Grammy nominee Josh Groban when he visited South Africa on his “Straight to You” tour and also with Grammy award winning gospel artist, Israel Houghton who performed in Zimbabwe. In 2016, Spha performed at the Oslo Jazz Festival and the Arendal Jazz Festival as a part of the Andreas Loven trio which features renowned saxophonist Buddy Wells.
The Arts Lounge with Spha Mdlalose focuses on all things arts and jazz. The show covers a range of topics from festivals, exhibitions, plays, music and theatre to name a few. Every week, Spha profiles a current artist, to delve deeper into the arts of jazz.
Spha Mdlalose chatting about International Jazz Day, the #lockdown and his upcoming live streaming performance for SBhomestudio @StandardBankArt @StandardBankZA
Spha speak to a singer and songwriter Njabulo Seh Nene about the release of this much awaited debut album!
Mbuso Khoza is an award winning vocalist and songwriter with a rich, authentic sound. A rare musical talent that rose from the rolling hills of Eshowe in Kwa-Zulu Natal and made sure to take the World Music circuit by storm.
Banda Banda is an Artist, Activist, bandleader and a musician, Spha in conversation with Banda about his debut album, new single had much more
The Arts Lounge joined by arts curator and promoter Aymeric Péguillan to talk about the Jazz on the Hill concert .
Sibusile Xaba and Spha Mdlose discussing "NGIWU SHABADA" He bought his guitar so who knows what could happen, Sibusile Xaba is a remarkable artist who takes influence from all genres of life. An acomplished guitar player, Sibusile tells stories through his music, sharing the message of peace, love and happiness.
Profile Dumza Maswana is a full-time musician, doing Afrosoul music, have one album titlted Iphupha Lam (My Dream). After few years in the industry and many disappointments, He created opportunities for himself, started his own label
Fezokuhle Mtonti is from Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal. She is a drama graduate who fell into a politics degree which she completed at Rhodes University. Along with being a free lance writer, she currently curated a multi cultural space in Braamfontein called The Forge
Bokani has recorded three jazz albums to critical acclaim. Alongside his jazz career, he also explores various other genres including electronic music. During his training he studied classical paino and played in a salsa band. These various influences have made him aware of the versatility of the piano as an instrument.
Shane Cooper is a bassist, composer and producer based in Johannesburg, South Africa. He is part of the new wave of South African Jazz artists pushing the music forward, and is also known for his work in the electronic/dance music world, as well as commissioned works for films and theatre. Shane Cooper and his new band MABUTA launch their much anticipated debut album Welcome To This World. Recorded in 2017 on funds raised via crowd funding, the band presents a unique body of work combining various influences from jazz to world music, and electronic music.
Sifiso Khanyile was born in Mbali township, Pietermaritzburg. Not unlike most township youngsters, he comes from a highly musical family. He attributes his love of music to many moments spent singing with his mother in her bedroom. It is thus not surprising that he studied music at Durban University of Technology majoring in Voice, Composition, Arranging and Harmony. Sifiso Khanyile returns to Joburg theatre for his 7th edition of the Live Experience journey through music. His music has been described as fresh, unique and distinct.
Viwe Mkizwanna Ensemble presents “Tributes" a new fresh and dynamic music experience, south African stories told in song. The Album consists of fourteen young top South African musicians and masterpiece of compositions by leader Viwe Mkizwana. The successful Viwe Mkizwana ensemble was formed in 2014, the collective performs a variety of African – and Jazz infused compositions.
Dinika Naidoo is an independent media strategist, content specialist, Radio/ Television producer and broadcaster, who consults independently through her business Mindshift Media - which focuses on content creation, brand and communications solutions, achieve communication objectives and obtain consistent strategic messaging for their campaigns.
TRC fuses imported sounds and exports them to their own flavour, either going into a Ghoema -tinged feel or just improvising around the melody. The TRC is the playground for the interrogation, assimilation and extended extemporisation from the canon of South African jazz heritage.
VUYISILE MSHUDULU – DIRECTOR OF ARTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE CITY OF JOHANNESBURG
Giving us some insight into the Arts and Culture landscape in the City Region of Johannesburg from a Policy, Development, Sustainability and Programs perspective.
LIVE INTERVIEW WITH PETER SIBEKO AT THE JOBURG THEATRE TELLING US MORE ABOUT THE SEAFRICA CONFERENCE
Showbiz Entertainment Africa (SEAfrica) conference will host exhibitions, workshops and networking sessions propelling it to be the ultimate business meeting place for talent, managers, entrepreneurs, business and other role players in the entertainment industry to stay ahead of the dynamic and ever changing industry. A visit to SEAfrica exposes one to show business proven approaches, trends, market disruptions, and other strategic challenges
Live Interview with Enzo from The Beat Makers Market. Beat Makers market is an innovative networking event geared towards artists and producers meeting to build successful business relationships
LIVE INTERVIEW WITH VUSI NOVA – MUSICIAN
Giving us some insight into the Arts and Culture landscape in the City Region of Johannesburg from a Policy, Development, Sustainability and Programs perspective.
VOUKS FROM GLOBAL DANCE SUPREME
VOUKS giving us an telling us more on developing competitive events throughout the World. Over 25 countries will compete at the 2019 Inter-Continental Dance Championships from 26-29 September at Walter Sisulu Hall, Randburg , Johannesburg ,South Africa
LIVE INTERVIEW WITH NONHLANHLA SIFUMBA - MMC FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, CITY OF JOHANNESBURG
Giving us an insight on what is the vision of the City of Johannesburg for the Arts Alive International Arts Festival as it draws closer to 30 years of existence.
Christine Msibi is a self-proclaimed "artivist", fan & foot soldier of the South African music scene at large. What started out as an unassuming pro-active fandom of the independent Hip-Hop scene in the early 2000's, eventually saw her tangible enthusiasm for the music that excited her; give birth to Jozi Unsigned - which she co-founded with childhood friend, Lindy Mtongana.
Mariapoala McGurk was born in Springs, South Africa in 1980. She currently lives and works in Johannesburg, South Africa. The arts hold a great value within every society. They are a means of communication and connection between people. The Coloured Cube challenges itself on every project to push the boundaries and experiment to make every project more relevant and impactful in our South African context.
The South African-born musician, saxophonist and composer Steve Dyer, is not only one of Southern Africa's most devoted scholars and disciples of indigenous African music; but a globally accomplished jazz musician & producer too. On the 2nd & 3 rd of Aug 2019 | Joburg Theatre | Steve Dyer brings Genesis of a Different World, a fusion of instruments to create a multi-textured soundscape.
Sinikwe Mabaso A Professional drummer and Arranger. A business intellect. Aspiring Producer based in South Africa. He has worked with artist like Ringo Madlingozi , Zahara , Joyous Celebration , Zaza , internationally renowned Dwele , Sibongile Khumalo to mention a few-
Dr Makhalima is extremely proud of is that, “80% of the artists nominated for the inaugural Mzantsi Jazz Awards were under the age of 40”. South Africa is a country that is known for its rich heritage in arts and culture with jazz being a huge part of that. There is always a belief that jazz is not given the recognition it truly deserves.
Soweto International Jazz Festival promises to provide a platform that showcases the beauty of African music and culture. Debuting at the Soweto Theatre on 14 June, it runs until 17 June. Nolan Baynes, International Arts Solutions representative, said the idea of the festival arose from a need to bring jazz to the people, with Soweto being an ideal place due to its rich history as well as its cultural and artistic diversity. Raheem S. DeVaughn is an American singer and songwriter.His debut album, The Love Experience 2005, reached No. 46 on the US Billboard 200 album chart.
Young South African jazz vocalist, Vuyo (Vuyolwethu) Sotashe, is gradually making his mark in the New York jazz scene. Sotashe moved to the NYC in 2013 after being awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to pursue Master of Music (Spring 2015) at William Paterson University. Since then, he has gone to win first prize at the very first Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival Vocal Competition in 2014, and performed on the festival's main stage in February of 2015.
Blinky Bill (born Sellanga Ochieng') is a Kenyan musician, DJ and producer. He is a founding member of Kenyan electronic music and art collective Just a Band with whom he has released three albums. He is an alumni of the US State-funded music programme One Beat Music in 2013.
Ziza Muftic is a Croatian born, South African jazz vocalist. She is also an educator, a pianist and a composer. Ziza’s sound is a unique blend of Eastern European folk tunes mixed with American and South African jazz styles. She has over 30 years of performing experience, first as a violinist, then a vocalist and a pianist. Ziza has performed with some of South Africa’s top musicians and has Masters of music degree from University of Witwatersrand.
Music journalist and author Struan Douglas launched his latest book “To A Peace on Earth” in Johannesburg on 23rd April. The evening was filled with great conversation and a special live performance by musician Madala Kunene who sat down with Spha Mdlalose for a quick interview
Struan Douglas African Writer Having begun his career as a columnist for Big Issue magazine in 2000, Music Arts and Culture Journalist Struan Douglas has continued on this course of “freelance journalism” for twenty years. As a philosophy and religions of the East, Honours graduate his work has examined the inter-relationship between music and community development, through festivals, venues, education, collaboration and business. As a RSM music graduate and horn player his work takes close account of African and Jazz music, music performance, recording, history and fulfilment of potential.
Dinika Naidoo is an independent media strategist, content specialist, Radio/ Television producer and broadcaster, who consults independently through her business Mindshift Media - which focuses on content creation, brand and communications solutions; achieve communication objectives and obtain consistent strategic messaging for their campaigns. Even planning on buying a paino tomorrow
Gwen Ansell is a freelance writer, researcher and trainer. She writes about jazz and reviews books , mainly science fiction and fantasy (these reviews have appeared in the Johannesburg Mail&Guardian and the Chimurenga Chronic, among others).She trains journalists and academic and organisational writers, and consults on music industry policy, organisational communication and training policies as well as curriculum design
Siya Makuzeni is a South African female trombone player, vocalist, lyricist and songwriter. She is renowned for regularly collaborating with A-list South African musicians such as Marcus Wyatt, Themba Mkhize. Her music career dates back to her high school days when she picked up the trombone in 1997 while attending school in East London. She studied Bachelor of Music and B. A. MusJazz at Rhodes University and the Pretoria Technikon Music School respectively.
Mandla Mlangeni is currently embarking on a multitude of project designed to showcase he's original music and still collaborate with many of South Africa’s celebrated musicians. He is a musician in many styles of music and believe he will contribute immensely to the music scene in South Africa and beyond.
Billy spoke aboutt his 23 year musical journey as well as his up coming residency for the month of March called The Experience of Rebounce happening at The Marabi Jazz Club
Spha chats to Anelisa about his acting career, his favourite jazz music, and his current projects.
Siphathisene chats to Vuyiswa Matomane about her recently launched fashion label, I travel Africa, as well as all things jazz