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I haven’t been out to attend a music event in a while, so when the renowned Standard Bank Joy of Jazz was turning the mature age of 21 years of existence last week, I decided to go based on the musically enticing line-up.
Though the weather was a bit chilly when I left home, inside the venue there was warmth, cosy and as jazz fanatics were enjoying themselves in between walking to the different stages; including the Dinaledi, Mbira and Conga stages.
I specifically chose to attend the Saturday show because I wanted to watch Nduduzo Makhathini’s collaboration with Azar Lawrence, Ayanda Sikade and Michael Bowie. The surprise inclusion to this trio by Omagugu Makhathini, wife to Nduduzo and an artist in her own right, added a much-needed variety to the set.
My must-watch performance was that of academic, singer, songwriter, kiba music scholar and teacher, Dr Sello Galane.
I was seated 15 minutes before his scheduled performance time, as I wanted the best seat in the audience. When the sound engineers were busy with his sound check, I noticed some of Judith Sephuma’s music in the background. Conga stage MC actress and Thobela FM radio presenter Rami Chuene said Judith was one of the artists influenced by the sound of Dr Sello Galane.
I was never ready for his grand stage entrance which was preceded by a colourful introduction by Rami, who is one of the few talents who has managed to keep her brand relevant, in this ever-changing dog-eat-dog industry, with industry-related challenges, which she openly shares during interviews, such as her recent True Love magazine cover.
I was also experiencing Rami for the first time as an MC and boy did she kill that gig! She was well prepared, engaged the audience and had fun, which made waiting for Dr Sello Galane a breeze.
Then came internationally acclaimed Dr Sello Galane with his 10-piece band clad in traditional Sepedi garb, with his signature hat, which I’m yet to ask him what it represents (when I get an opportunity to converse with him) and a bright dashiki top.
His attire was mostly made up of leather and he came on stage holding a horn to his already set up kiba family of five drums.
During his performance, he explained the duty of the father kiba drum which is used to communicate and bring order and represents masculinity and firmness, among other traits.
The mother kiba as the voice of reason and the one who will ask: “be o ya kae ge o tlhakana le tshwene”, simply translated where were you going when you bumped into a monkey?
To the crowds delight, he explained that the mother kiba represents different sounds and elements merged with tenderness and sternness.
He also explained the roles of the daughter and son kiba drums and said they represent being mellow and playful.
By the time he explained the fifth kiba family member, I was also in my own musical trance captivated by the combination of the well-thought visual representation, the energetic three female backing vocalists who were proudly wearing their colourful Bapedi clothing and the band which enhanced Dr Sello Galane’s performance.
It was a very engaging, spiritual and energetic performance.
He started his set on a lighter note but as he continued performing, he went into a musical trance with songs such as, O Be O Eya Kae, which showcased his impressive dance moves.
He then took off his colourful and light material dashiki, which showed off one of a kind, attire with brown belts across his chest and creative design.
This means a lot of thought went into making of the garment.
It was my first time being captivated by what a male artist wore, as I’m mostly about the music – the attire was one of its kind – like nothing I’ve seen before.
Especially, the leather part with several belt straps he wore on top of his white vest. He had traditional print pants on and leather sandals, which he later took off, when his dancing intensified.
Before he performed Pula, with the band playing the melody in the background he explained the importance of rain on communities.
“Rain represents rejuvenation, prosperity, rebirth among other things.”
This was a crowd favourite because it’s a sing-a-long and one of his signature songs.
Dr Sello Galane also holds a PhD from the University of Pretoria titled, The Music of Philip Tabane – An Historical Analytical Study of Malombo Music of South Africa.
He is passionate about the kiba drum and sound. He is continuously working towards recording, preserving and sharing the sound through his recordings and teachings.
He has a musically impressive discography under his record music Kgapana African Music Records.
He released his debut album in the year 2000 titled, Free Kiba and he has since released a sizeable amount of music through his record label.
He is set to record two albums on November 28 2018 at the State Theatre, in Pretoria and tickets cost R200 and are available at Computicket.
A friend also suggested I check out Brian Culbertson to try something new and I really enjoyed his set.
Chonca Buika, form Equitorial Guinea but now based in Spain, whom I had the great pleasure of experiencing her vocal abilities and stage presence at our very own, The Simphiwe Dana Symphony Experience, which took place at the Kyalami Theatre On the Track in 2016 and featured two internationally acclaimed African-born artists; including; Asa from Nigeria wrapped the show on a high note.
Her vocal prowess, who can play most musical instruments, was one of the last acts for the night and she didn’t disappoint and dedicated a song to Simphiwe Dana and thanked her for introducing her to the South African audiences through her show.
Dr Sello Galane is also set to perform at Slotjhile Pub & Shisanyama Jazz Festival in Tembisa on the 27th October 2018, alongside Selaelo Selota and Amanda Black, among other acts.
Dimakatso Ngosheng is a writer, music enthusiast, multidisciplinary creative and spiritual being.
