Xonti Leads With Calculated Inspiration
Radiant reedman and composer Sisonke Xonti led a calculated, albeit inspired performance in the first of two signature showcases given to incumbent Young Artist Award winners at the yearly Standard Bank Jazz Festival.
Notably, one wonders how the absence of big audiences has affected the show. The presence of cheering peers is often essential to musicians feeling the urge to give epoch-making performances. To enjoy these gigs mediated by distance with online streaming, turns viewers into curious voyeurs of a performed process and not impassioned participants in a creative music making ritual.
However, this loss of social contact does not impair Xonti and his band’s capacity to deliver a not-to-be-missed musical offering. They open proceedings with a double dirge comprising two new compositions. The first one is titled Ndigumtu (I’m a person) which they followed up with When They See Us; an ode to the Black Lives Matter movement.
Along with a set of other new compositions, the performance is peppered with tried and tested charts from his debut record, Iyonde which he recorded in 2017. These cuts provided a kind of safe exploratory space for the band. They’ve played the songs together a myriad times before. Well, save for the only newcomer; rising young vocalist Keorapetse Kolwane. She’s a flowering force whose promise we should all pay attention to.
As the least experienced in what is easily an all star outfit. One would’ve expected her to be flustered under fire, or even fumble by over performing. However, she swung far from that. Kolwane sang with a well measured mood and mastered modulation. By turns refreshing and exhilarating. She stood as dependable as drummer, Sphelelo Mazibuko. The eversteady maestro completes a high powered rhythm section that includes pianist Bokani Dyer and Shane Cooper on upright bass. Both of whom are SBYA alumni. The melodic line is carried by Keenan Ahrends on guitar, along with Kolwane allowing Xonti to lead with reassured inspiration.
On every successive tune, each player reaches out for a chance to shine. Like how the sweeping waves of colourful phrases Dyer plays on Bonisile are nothing if not remarkable. Consider how Cooper gives a highlight moment with a masterful solo on 15 Sandaile street. These are some of the sparkles in the spectacle that creates curiosity about Xonti’s the next performance. May he play better than his proven promise.