Don Laka marks new era with Sony Music Africa after five decades in music

The partnership follows a long-standing working relationship between the two parties. At the signing event, Sony Music Africa managing director Sean Watson described Laka as “the new face of jazz”, praising his enduring influence and creative risk-taking.

“If I had to describe him, for me, he is one of the bravest creative pioneers that I’ve ever known in this industry,” Watson said. “He’s taken risks and chances, and done beautiful things that nobody could’ve imagined or dreamt of. He has always made moves that have changed the way people see jazz in particular.”

In an interview, Laka reflected on the milestones that have shaped his career, placing particular emphasis on collaboration. He credited his longevity to an openness to working across generations of musicians.

“I’ve been in the industry for 53 years. It’s working with all the musicians that came from the 60s, the 70s, the 80s, the 90s, the 2000s, that I’ve been able to accommodate,” he said.

Among the collaborations he highlighted was “Ngikulindile”, recorded with Kelly Khumalo for his album Reflections. The project brought together artists beyond the traditional boundaries of jazz, reflecting Laka’s tendency to experiment and resist stylistic constraints.

Over the course of his career, Laka said he has released more than 800 tracks, working with a wide range of artists including Judith Sephuma and Black Coffee. He attributed the ease of these collaborations to his willingness to approach music without rigid expectations, allowing each project to develop organically.

Laka also spoke about the influence of South African musical traditions on his work, citing genres such as Kwela, Marabi and Mbaqanga as formative.

“I soak in all South African music,” he said. “I remember in the early 70s, I used to follow a van carrying instruments so that I could go and listen to a band play… that sound has always been with me.”

This blend of local and international influences is evident in his 2008 album Paradise, which he described as emerging from an unexpected moment of inspiration.

“I was at a shopping mall and a couple came to me and said, ‘Do you think you can make another album better than Supernova? Do you think you can bring that kwaai-jazz sound back?’ So when I got home, I got onto my keyboard… and I just started strumming the chords of ‘Big Day’, and I knew there that this is something different.”

Looking ahead, Laka said he plans to revisit and release completed versions of archival recordings alongside new material. With the backing of Sony Music Africa, these works are expected to reach wider international audiences, extending the reach of a catalogue that has already left a significant mark on South African music.