Kaya 959 Reporter
Point of View with Phemelo Motene spoke to Thandi Ntuli about her musical journey, her passions and things that bring her joy.
Thandi Ntuli was born in Soshanguve, Pretoria, one of South Africa’s major townships. She hails from a musical family since she is the niece of Selby Ntuli, the guitarist, pianist, and lead vocalist of Harari (The Beaters) in the 1970s.
Thandi has been quickly making an impression on the local jazz scene with her unique voice since the publication of her debut jazz CD, “The Offering,” which she self-released.
Since its debut in 2014, “The Offering” has gained critical praise as well as various honours and accolades.
LISTEN TO THE FULL CONVERSATION HERE:
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On leaving room for her music to be interpreted by the listener
“I guess that’s how I express feelings, and that’s why I express feelings, that’s why I like instrumental music. There’s so much room for interpretation. So when I do bring lyrics to the music, I enjoy giving the music space to be interpreted by the listener as well, and not really anchoring it to the listener as well. What I have really liked is when people are not really sure what the songs are about, and I really like their take on what they are hearing.”
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Exiled, Thandi Ntuli’s second album was released in 2018.
Thandi began playing the piano when she was four years old, but it wasn’t until she was in high school that she realized she wanted to be a professional musician. She then went to the University of Cape Town to study Jazz Performance (UCT).
On her first love being the piano
“That one I credit all to my mother, she was the one who loved the instrument, she was the one who took the initiative to get me into piano lessons, driving me up and down to the eisteddfods. I can tell you this, mothers are superheroes.”
She has collaborated with Judith Sephuma, The Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, Andy Narell, Louis Mhlanga, Jimmy Dludlu, Thandiswa Mazwai, Neo Muyanga, Marcus Wyatt, Nomfundo Xaluva, Steve Dyer, Andile Yenana, DJ QB Smith, DJ SirLSG, Bheki Khoza, Themba Mkhize, Sibongile Mngoma, Lex Fut.
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