Nduduzo Makhathini

Nduduzo Makhathini (born 24 September 1982) is a jazz pianist from uMgungundlovu, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Coming from a musical family, his love for music began at an early age. Makhathini completed his Diploma in Jazz Piano at the Durban University of Technology in 2005 and obtained a PhD in music from Stellenbosch University in 2023. He has performed with musicians including Zim Ngqawana, Simphiwe Dana, Feya Faku, and McCoy Mrubata. In April 2020, his studio album Modes of Communication: Letters from the Underworld was released by Blue Note Records. It was named one of the "Best Jazz Albums of 2020" by The New York Times and was followed by In the Spirit of Ntu in 2022 and uNomkhubulwane in 2024. Makhathini was the recipient of the 2015 Standard Bank Young Artist Award in the jazz category; this award is hosted by the National Arts Festival. At the 2017 All Africa Music Awards, Makhathini won the Best Jazz Artist award. His musical output has led him to be described by Seton Hawkins of All About Jazz as "a truly singular pianist, an astonishingly gifted composer, and a deeply nuanced thinker on the music ... one of the country's [South Africa's] most remarkable talents." Mother Tongue (Gundu, 2014) with Sakhile Simani, Mthunzi Mvubu, Linda Sikhakhane, Ariel Zamonsky, Benjamin Jeptha, and Ayanda Sikade Sketches of Tomorrow (Gundu, 2014) with Sakhile Simani, Mthunzi Mvubu, Jonathan Crossley, and Ayanda Sikade Listening to the Ground (Gundu, 2015) Matunda Ya Kwanza, Vol One (Gundu, 2015) Icilongo – The African Peace Suite (Gundu, 2016) with Sakhile Moleshe, Justin Bellairs, Shabaka Hutchings, Benjamin Jeptha, and Ayanda Sikade Inner Dimensions – Umgidi Trio & One Voice Vocal Ensemble (2016) with Fabien Iannone, Dominic Egli, Lisette Spinnler, and Jule Fahrer Ikhambi (Universal South Africa, 2016) Reflections (Gundu, 2017) – solo piano Modes of Communication: Letters from the Underworlds (Blue Note, 2020) The Blues of a Zulu Spirit (EP, 2021) In the Spirit of Ntu (Blue Note Africa, 2022) uNomkhubulwane (Blue Note Africa, 2024) The Myth We Choose (Blue Note, 2026) "Nduduzo Makhathini: SBYAA for Jazz". The M&G Online. 4 November 2014. "Nduduzo Makhathini | The Orbit – Jazz Club & Bistro – Johannesburg". Theorbit.co.za. Archived from the original on 11 November 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2022. "Nduduzo Makhathini". Hermanus Fynarts Festival. Archived from the original on 15 June 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2015. "Nduduzo Makhathini obtains his PhD in Music from Stellenbosch University". 28 March 2023. "SA jazz master Nduduzo Makhathini adds a PhD to list of accolades". Neophytou, Nadia. "Interview: South Africa's Nduduzo Makhathini On His Upcoming Blue Note Records Debut - OkayAfrica". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 12 May 2022. Russonello, Giovanni (2 December 2020). "Best Jazz Albums of 2020". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 9 April 2025. Setumo-Thebe Mohlomi (30 October 2014). "Nduduzo Makhathini finds the gift of healing in song". The M&G Online. "National Arts Festival". Archived from the original on 29 October 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2018. "The rising star of South African jazz". BBC. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2018. "Nduduzo Makhathini: Jazz Is a Shared Memory". All About Jazz. 1 February 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2022. "Nduduzo Makhathini at Blue Note". Bluenote.com. Retrieved 20 March 2022. Official website Nduduzo Makhathini at AllMusic Nduduzo Makhathini on Bandcamp Nduduzo Makhathini discography at Discogs Nduduzo Makhathini discography at MusicBrainz