
Piano and Vocals
Trumpet and flugelhorn
Vocals
Harp
Violoncello
Double Bass
Drums
Pianist and scholar Nduduzo Makhathini, who has risen to prominence as one of the spiritual leaders of the new wave of South African musicians, presents a new project combining his jazz trio with cello, voice, trumpet, and harp. This work is an in-depth return to the core of existence (what Makhathini refers to as “ntu”) and an invocation of what we as the human race have forgotten. Although humanity is constantly haunted by violence and loss, Makhathini focuses primarily on forgiveness as a path to change. The instrumentation aims at a specific symbolism: the voice represents a call, strings (cello and double bass) symbolize a lament, the piano stands for diversity and the possibility to collaborate, the trumpet represents a scream and an urgent call to action, and the drums for the diviners and a renewed future. By merging these elements, Makhathini creates a piece that combines musical ingenuity with expression—music of and for our times.


