A New Look Towards Ubungoma Practices and Articulations | Nduduzo Makhathini | TEDxGaborone

Within this talk and performance Nduduzo explores parallels and connections between improvised music and divination as a progressive way of looking at presentations and articulations of complex concepts of ubungoma to this generation. Through that he further seeks to propose new definitions to Western classical musical instruments employed in jazz and how they can be situated in an African context through an investigation of their origins in Africa via histories of Africa's indigenous musical instruments. In this talk/performance he also aims at restoring and questioning the role of artists in society and their contributions towards a new humanism.

Nduduzo Makhathini is a jazz musician and an award winning pianist. Makhathini commands the sort of remarkable talent and thematic focus that posits him among an illustrious pantheon of forbears. Beyond his proven prowess as a brilliant pianist, Makhathini is also an astute producer with a sharp ear for harnessing the best possible sounds of other creative musicians. The successes of the records bears his contribution. This accounts for his award-winning pedigree. We count being Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner for 2015. Nduduzo Makhathini has seven albums to his name and won the South African Music Awards 2017 for Best Jazz Album. He is the first recipient of the British Academy Newton Advanced Fellowship Masters Scholarship. Makhathini is active as an educator too. He is head of the music department at Fort Hare University in the Eastern Cape. He is also studying towards his master’s degree with Stellenbosch University.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx