Dizzy’s Club Presents: Linda Sikhakhane

Dizzy’s Club Presents
Linda Sikhakhane: An Open Dialogue
November 6, 2020

Set List:
1:58 - Ezinkalweni by Linda Sikhakhane
8:40 - Dance for Trane by Linda Sikhakhane
25:45 - Ziyokhala Ziyotheza Sokela by Linda Sikhakhane
38:15 - Saziwa Nguwe by Nduduzo Makhathini

Saxophonist and composer Linda Sikhakhane returns with the follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2017 debut album, Two Sides, One Mirror. Recorded as part of his Senior Recital at The New School in New York, USA, An Open Dialogue is a staggering work that impresses with its sonic exploration of the yonder. "My new album is about existing dialogues and its potentiality of being re-imagined in realtime. It draws from the idea of a mono-sectional world that is a portal for understanding and meaning," says the Umlazi-born leader of the new wave of musical impresarios, adding, "music is one of many codes that help us tap into these open dialogues." This time, he arrives better attuned to his strengths as a cultural worker functioning within the broader landscape of improvisational music, and interrogating what it means to create work on either side of the Black Atlantic. Sikhakhane's come up has been nothing short of impressive. A student of the late, great Dr. Brian Thusi, he's gone on to play alongside South African greats past and present, and has been a regular feature in Nduduzo Makhathini's band since debuting on his album Mother Tongue (2014). He was awarded the SAMRO Overseas Scholarship in 2016. This opportunity opened the door that has since seen him going to study under the mentorship of innovators like Billy Harper, David Schnitter, Charles Tolliver, and Reggie Workman at The New School. Besides pursuing academic work, Sikhakhane shared stages with respected jazz musicians in the same city that greats such as his greatest influence, John Coltrane, plied their trade. The learnings from those interactions have gone on to shape the intuitive, seasoned musician he is becoming. The concert was sponsored by Concerts SA in partnership with SAMRO Foundation and Untitled Basement. The concert was filmed at Untitled Basement in Johannesburg, South Africa on November 6, 2020.

Personnel:
Linda Sikhakhane, tenor & soprano saxophones
Afrika Mkhize, piano
Jude Harpstar, harp
Benjamin Jephta, bass
Ayanda Sikade, drums
Ndabo Zulu, trumpet (special guest)

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