Nduduzo Makhathini Delivers Spiritual Jazz Performance in NPR’s Tiny Desk Series

South African jazz pianist and healer Nduduzo Makhathini performed a five-part spiritual jazz suite titled Ntu Sonicities Devotion Suite for NPR’s Tiny Desk series. Accompanied by bassist Zwelakhe-Duma Bell le Pere and drummer Kabelo Mokhatla, Makhathini fused Zulu vocal reflections, ritualistic elements, and ancestral themes into a deeply meditative performance. Each movement in the suite carries distinct themes—from stillness and spiritual invocation to protest and transcendence. Using layered sound design, vocoder, and storytelling, Makhathini created a powerful auditory and cultural journey. His work blends traditional African spiritual practices with avant-garde jazz, offering not just music, but a devotional experience. This Tiny Desk performance serves as a portal into Makhathini’s philosophy of music as ritual, reclaiming Black aesthetics and identity in a global context.

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Source: NPR