Nduduzo Makhathini

Nduduzo Makhathini is an award-winning pianist, improvisor, healer and scholar from KwaZulu Natal in South Africa. He is a recipient of prestigious awards such as the Standard Bank Young Artist Award, South African Music Award (SAMA) and AFRIMA among others that have made him an influential figure. Makhathini has nine albums under his belt with his last album Modes of Communication: Letters from the Underworlds on Blue Note Records and many as a sideman.

He has performed and collaborated with the Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. Moreover, he has performed with Busi Mhlongo, Zim Ngqawana, Azar Lawrence, Billy Harper, Nasheet Waits, Logan Richardson among many other greats.

Makhathini has also done prestigious venues such as the Blue Note and Jazz at Lincoln Centre in New York. He was also in the line-up for this year’s Winter Jazz Fest.

As an academic Makhathini is heading a music department at the historic University of Fort Hare while completing his PhD at Stellenbosch University. Makhathini’s work moves between jazz and improvisation while making connections to African cosmological aspects with a strong focus on ritual.