The music department at Stellenbosch University (SU) recently appointed the first musician in its inaugural artist-in-residence programme. This is according to Martin Viljoen, SU spokesperson.
Bheki Khoza, acclaimed Afro-jazz and maskandi guitarist, is joining the department for a two-year programme, according to Dr Ncebakazi Mnukwana, a lecturer in the division of music education and course convenor for African music at SU.
“The jazz division is very privileged to have someone like Bheki Khoza, who’s a South African music icon,” said Ramon Alexander, a lecturer at the SU music department. “Our students are very privileged to have someone like him teaching, and workshopping and performing alongside someone of that caliber.”
The two-year programme will offer registered jazz students the opportunity to learn from a prolific Afro-jazz South African musician, according to Mnukwana.
“The launch of the inaugural artist-in-residence programme [is] a landmark initiative in the department’s mission to offer a rich, inclusive, and forward-thinking musical education,” said Viljoen, in correspondence with SMF News.
The artist-in-residence programme is designed to bring diverse, world-class expertise to the academic environment by inviting leading artists to share their craft and experience with students, said Viljoen.
Lecture hall at the Stellenbosch University (SU) conservatorium. “The artist-in-residence is hosted by the music department for [SU] students registered for programmes at the music department,” said Ncebakazi Mnukwana, lecturer in the division of music education and course convenor for African music at SU’s music department, about the department’s new artist-in-residence programme. PHOTO: Ishmael Mabena
“Taking up this prestigious role means that I get to help to put up an African element in [the jazz division] so that it can be in symbiosis with it, so that the learners are able to get hold of the element [and] play things that are also from their space and from their country,” said Khoza.
The programme aims to re-centre South Africa’s musical heritage within contemporary music education, said Viljoen.
Khoza said that he is looking forward to shaping the next generation of composers and jazz musicians, and that it is important that students are exposed to the right foundation.
“We need to be able to pass it through to the younger generation of musicians,” he said.
With technology and artificial intelligence on the rise, some composers today “don’t play any instrument, but sample things around, and you can’t really call that a composition”, said Khoza.
“They’ll be missing something organic on it,” he said.
‘Khoza’s musical journey’
“Khoza’s musical journey was shaped by early influences from traditional Zulu music, his grandmother’s isitolotolo (Jew’s harp), and the sounds of street musicians, weddings, and shebeens,” said Viljoen. “In 1991, Khoza was awarded a scholarship to study at the University of Hartford in Connecticut, where he studied under the great Jackie McLean.”
Khoza’s artistry attests the legacy of “iconic musicians” and has a discography that includes collaborations with “local and international jazz greats […] and legendary vocalists”, such as Miriam Makeba, Thembi Mtshali, and Thandiswa Mazwai, among others, according to Viljoen.
Khoza’s discography reflects his far-reaching influence, said Viljoen.
“Students at Stellenbosch University [SU] can study Western classical, jazz, and African music as part of their practical qualifications – a uniquely pluralistic approach among South African music departments,” said Martin Viljoen, SU spokesperson, in correspondence with SMF News. PHOTO: Ishmael Mabena
‘Music is key to celebrating our indigenous cultures’
“The performing arts, and music in particular, [play] a big role in promoting knowledge transfer, collaboration, and is key to celebrating our indigenous cultures,” said Professor Sibusiso Moyo, SU vice-rector: research, innovation, and postgraduate studies.
The music department’s jazz offering (which currently includes jazz ensembles, a big band, and tuition in jazz voice and various instruments) is “committed to cultivating an openness to all musical traditions and genres,” said Viljoen.
A new artist-in-residence programme at Stellenbosch University’s (SU) music department was made possible through the partnership of Dr Ncebakazi Mnukwana, lecturer in the division of music education and course convenor for African music, and professor Sibusiso Moyo, SU vice-rector: research, innovation, and postgraduate studies. This is according to Martin Viljoen, SU spokesperson, in correspondence with SMF News. PHOTO: Ishmael Mabena
The music department hopes to prepare students for diverse educational and performance spaces, according to Viljoen.
“[The university] aims to support the SU music department in their creativity, research, and innovation agenda,” said Moyo, who added that the department of higher education and training recognises the creative outputs from such programmes.
“We thank the department and faculty for pushing the artist-in-residence programme, which will continue being a flagship programme for the university,” she said.