As though to “fulfil” the essence of her sophomore release Exiled, 2019 has seen Thandi Ntuli spend a lot of time away from home by means of an artist residency and tour in Switzerland, as well as a US tour, which was recently concluded with a performance as part of “The South African Songbook” alongside Wynton Marsalis and The Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra.
When asked about how she feels this experience has affected her artistically, she exults “the many ways travel has introduced or re-introduced" her to herself.
Since her debut album The Offering, which celebrated its fifth solar return last month, Thandi has always expressed a keen interest for the world through its many cultures. It is no wonder that her sound is aptly described as music that “reflects her cross-cultural mix of American and African traditional music...” (Nadia Neophytou - Billboard).
Like one of her heroes, Bheki Mseleku, whose album Home at Last, reflects a celebration of returning, Thandi feels a great eagerness to reconnect with her long-standing collaborators; bringing all her “becomings” and musically sharing a conversation on what’s new as she says: “I just wanna play!”
Band Line Up:
Mthunzi Mvubu (flute & alt sax); Sthembiso Bhengu (trumpet); Keenan Ahrends (guitar); Shane Cooper (bass); Sphelelo Mazibuko (drums).
*Thandi Ntuli Live in Concert -This series runs from Friday 18th & Saturday 19th of October at UNTITLED BASEMENT, 7 Reserve Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa. Tickets for both nights are available on Quicket
