Life is edgy jazz artist Thandi’s greatest muse
Standard Bank Young Artist winner has grown to become a musician of international acclaim
From performing to an international audience to releasing her second album, this year’s Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz Thandi Ntuli hopes her vocal talents at the National Arts Festival will leave the audience in a better state of mind.
Born in Soshanguve and raised in a music-loving family helped cement Ntuli’s love and admiration for all genres of music, which in turn has helped propel her career to international acclaim.
“I think the main thing about my background is the incredibly vast amount of musical styles I was introduced to and listened to, growing up in a music-loving family.
“Having an open mind when it comes to music can be such a gift and it has often made me challenge what I accept as ‘good’ or ‘normal’ when I am composing so that I can stretch myself,” said Ntuli.
Armed with an eclectic taste in music, her source of inspiration is life itself – and even though her father urged her to study economics, she knew her heart lay in music.
“Life is my greatest muse. “My own experiences, my observation of the experiences of others, what I imagine, what I come to know as being true.
“I love the effect nature, yoga practice, family and watching a live performance, of any art form, has on my creativity,” said Ntuli.
This year alone Ntuli has entertained audiences in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Mozambique and Swaziland. The release of her second album, Exiled, in February, further solidified her standing as an artist of significant cultural and musical importance.
“I’ve had an incredible global reception of my second album, from Apple Music Artist Spotlight in March, to a keen following in Japan too.
“Sometimes the work has been on the craft itself, other times it has been on other skills which support my craft.
“I don’t think I will ever get to a point where I feel ‘I am done’ because one can always grow, but it’s really fascinating to discover new ways to allow what I am expressing to come through with a deeper sense of clarity.”
Ntuli’s debut album The Offering was released in 2014 and showcased her talents as a gifted composer and pianist.
For Ntuli, being named as a 2018 Standard Bank Young Artist has been an achievement in itself.
“It first means that the work that I do is appreciated and that is so fulfilling. “It is also incredibly humbling. “We have so much talent in this country, so to receive an award that has been received by some of the best in South Africa is incredibly affirming for me.”
Although her style is firmly rooted in jazz, Ntuli admits to borrowing from different styles and influences to create a genre not exclusively linked to anything specific.
“My music is searching or reaching simply because I am searching or reaching. “I love jazz for its ability to make room for so many different influences.”
This year will be Ntuli’s seventh visit to perform at the festival, with previous concerts either in collaboration with different bands or on her own. Speaking ahead of her first show yesterday in Grahamstown, she said she hoped festival goers would be “soulfully delighted”.
“My performance … is going to be special because it is not often that I get to perform with the musicians who recorded,” she said, giving the nod to Linda Sikhakhane on sax, Benjamin Jeptha (another Standard Bank Young Artist recipient) on bass, Sphelelo Mzibuko on drums and DJkenzhero on the DJ decks.
Tonight’s show also features Senzo Ngcobo on trombone, Sthembiso Bhengu on trumpet and DJkenzhero on the DJ decks.
Ntuli’s Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz show yesterday also featured saxophone maestro Mthunzi Mvubu, Marcus Wyatt on trumpet, Justin Sasman on trombone, Keenan Ahrends on guitar and Tlale Makene on percussion.
“I work with some of them frequently, but not all, and so that is something to look forward to.”
“I always hope that in coming to my performances, the experience leaves people in a better state than before they came.
“I think music serves as an alchemist for our feelings and moods. “Even if a song or experience makes you cry (which is perceived as a negative thing), afterwards one tends to feel better, clearer or more at peace.
“Art is so important for the human soul which I think is in a real crisis today.”
Thandi Ntuli – Rebirth of Cool is on tonight at 11pm at the DSG Hall. Ntuli is also performing alongside Lisette Spinnler and Julie Fahrer tomorrow at 10pm at the DSG Auditorium.
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