Nduduzo Makhathini

CUBO LIVE – places, ideas, voices, events – is the travelling festival of live performances organised by CUBO throughout Italy in particularly evocative venues.
Kicking off the Marina di Loano leg of the tour is the talented South African pianist Nduduzo Makhathini.
Makhathini’s music is deeply influenced by the cultural context in which he grew up and by his personal experiences; indeed, it reflects the code of the Zulu warrior, as well as the influence of the church, which played a significant role in his upbringing. The work of other South African artists, such as Bheki Mseleku and Abdullah Ibrahim, has also helped shape Makhathini’s musical philosophy, as has his discovery of John Coltrane’s album ‘A Love Supreme’, which sowed the seeds for the development of the spirituality and depth found in Nduduzo’s artistic expression.
His musical style transcends stylistic boundaries, combining elements of jazz with traditional African influences and a deep emotional sensitivity. His compositions are characterised by a fusion of complex rhythms, rich harmonies and captivating melodies, offering the listener a unique musical experience: a sort of contemporary Afro-jazz tinged with blues, soul and gospel, combined with the intimacy of Cuban-Caribbean bolero.

In collaboration with the Bologna Jazz Festival.