One of South Africa’s finest jazz musicians performing today lands at Kings Place for The EFG London Jazz Festival – pianist, producer and composer Nduduzo Makhathini, whose unique musical vision is precise in its technique yet ethereal in its purpose, delivering a truly immersive live experience.

Born in the lush hills of umGungundlovu, South Africa, Nduduzo Makhathini grew up in an environment where music and ritual were deeply intertwined. This region, historically significant as the site of Zulu King Dingane’s kingdom, profoundly influenced Makhathini’s musical vision. He was drawn to the powerful role of music in the Zulu warrior code for motivation and healing, shaping his unique sound.

Makhathini’s early musical exploration included attending various churches solely for their music. Influenced by South African jazz legends like Bheki Mseleku, Moses Molelekwa, and Abdullah Ibrahim, he emphasizes the emotional depth and historical context in their music. His mentor Mseleku introduced him to John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme, which helped him find his voice as a pianist, mirroring the rhythms and expressions of his culture. American jazz pianists Andrew Hill, Randy Weston, and Don Pullen also significantly influenced him.

As head of the music department at Fort Hare University, Makhathini is an active educator and researcher. His performances span major festivals like the Cape Town International Jazz Festival and the Essence Festival.

Makhathini, a member of Shabaka Hutchings’ band Shabaka and the Ancestors, has collaborated with numerous artists and produced albums for peers (such as Thandiswa Mazwai’s Belede). Since founding Gundu Entertainment with his wife Omagugu, he has released eleven award-winning albums, including the SAMA-winning Ikhambi (2017). His Blue Note debut, Modes of Communication: Letters from the Underworlds (2020), received critical acclaim, and this year he released his third record on the legendary label uNomkhubulwane which pays homage to the Zulu Goddess uNomkhubulwane and explores Africa’s tragic history of oppression.

This event will last approximately 90 minutes, without an interval.