Arts Writer
SAXOPHONIST Sisonke Xonti returns to Gugulethu to perform African jazz and some of his own compositions at the Jazz in the Native Yards series on Sunday from 4pm at Kwa Sec, NY 138 No. 52.
Joining him on stage will be Nick Williams on piano, Romy Brauteseth on bass, drummer Claude Cozens and guitarist Keenan Ahrends – all no strangers to Gugs and the Cape Town jazz scene.
Xonti started playing music at the age of 10, but it was only when he turned 13 that he fell in love with the saxophone, and continued playing classical saxophone until receiving his UNISA Grade 8 Distinction in 2006.
His introduction to jazz came in 2004 when he joined The Little Giants, led by George Werner and the late Ezra Ngcukana.
The same year, he was selected to be a part of the School’s Big Band at the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Festival in Grahamstown.
In 2007 Xonti was selected for the National Youth Band for the first time under the leadership of Dr. Andrew Lilley. He has since played with acclaimed musicians, including Jimmy Dludlu, Lira, Hugh Masekela, Judith Sephuma, Dj Christos, DJ Vinny Da Vinci, Herbie Tsoaeli, Feya Faku, Freshlyground, Bheki Khoza, Bokani Dyer, Marcus Wyatt and Lwanda Gogwana.
Xonti has performed at various international jazz festivals, such as The Cape Town International Jazz Festival, The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, The Grahamstown Jazz Festival and The Calabar Jazz Festival in Nigeria. He has also performed in Mozambique, Angola, Reunion Islands and Switzerland. He continues to pursue a performance and recording career and is working on a project of which he is the founder, The Deluge – an electronic music project.
l At 4pm. There will be two 45- minutes sets. Tickets at the gate.