By Zuko Komisa
Point of View with Bonolo B-Sting in for Phemelo Moten spoke to Herbie Tsoaeli, better recognized by his followers in the South African jazz scene as “uMalume” as a result of his hit “Hamba No Malume”
He is a bassist, composer, and arranger, who won the 2013 Best Jazz Album South African Music Award for his self-titled debut album.
Herbie’s music is a fusion of many parts of South African music and jazz.
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He describes his music as a spiritual experience and has named it “Jazz Moya,” which translates to “jazz inspired by the spirits,” to characterize it.
LISTEN TO THE FULL CONVERSATION HERE:
On the early days of being a musician
“We’ve come a long way, we were lucky to say this was our music, there were those who came before us who showed us the way. There were a lot of cultural activities, as we know in all townships.”
“This music as I say, “kuzokubuya kulunnge”, this music is music guided by special energy forces under the guidance of higher powers and the ancestors. It is music for the people by the people”
On working with younger musicians
“They fit in very well as they are able to help me, remember the word I said before, sometimes you have to feature the youth, and maybe one day they feature me in their work.”
“It happens that after I teach them the music, they write it down and I ask them to give me a score and we sign the score with the person who wrote the music. We need each other at the end of the day.”
Has a impressive record of playing with South African Jazz greats such as Abdullah Ibrahim, Zim Ngqawana, Bheki Mseleku, Louis Moholo and Wynston Mankunku Ngozi.
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