Linda Sikhakhane presents Iladi, an album launch

ABOUT

Jazz saxophonist, arranger and composer Linda Sikhakhane epitomises the vibrant evolution of South Africa’s jazz landscape. The Umlazi-born and KwaNongoma descendant musician establishes a conversation between the contemporary and traditional, homegrown and global while steeping his ruminations on the personal, societal, spiritual and cultural in rich tones. Owing inspiration to greats such as John Coltrane, Bheki Mseleku and Winston Mankunku Ngozi, Sikhakhane’s style is informed by the interplay between the metropolitan and the folkloric. His offerings deftly align these sonic influences with theoretical concepts drawn from both hereditary customs and academic abstraction.

He began his musical journey at the Siyakhula Music Centre under the gentle guidance of the late Dr. Brian Thusi which saw him completing a Diploma In Jazz at the University Of KwaZulu Natal. His determination led to a relentless work schedule performing live and also in the studio with Nduduzo Makhathini, his longtime mentor, the H3 horn ensemble and many others. Emerging victorious at the SAMRO Overseas Scholarship competition in 2016, he utilized the prize money to fund his Degree programme at The New School in New York. Here, he was mentored by greats such as Billy Harper, Reggie Workman, David Schnitter and Charles Tolliver.

Sikhakhane is a 2x SAMA and Metro Fm awards nominee for Best Jazz Album with three albums under his name, and was named the Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz in 2022. He has worked with a broad array of artists: Nduduzo Makhathini, Sibongile Khumalo, Themba Mkhize, Letta Mbuli, Nasheet Waits,Khaya Mahlangu, Gregory Porter, Rodney Kendrick, Rhonda Ross Kendrick, Zakes Bantwini, Logan Richardson, Derrick Hodge, Ted Daniel, Thandiswa Mazwai, Herbie Tsoaeli, Somi and more. He has appeared in many stages locally and abroad such as Makhanda Jazz Festival, Joy Of Jazz, Lincoln Center, Mamajaz, Caramoor Jazz Festival, The Bird’s Eye Jazz Club, Ronnie Scott’s, Elphilharmonie (Hamburg), just to name a few.

BOOKING NOTES

• If you can’t get the table configuration you want and end up booking seats on different tables as a result, please do so under the same email address and we’ll automatically put you together on one table. In fact, any seats booked under the same email address we will assume are together and arrange seating at one table. If this is not the case, however, or if you are booking with friends under different email addresses, just let us know and we’ll make a plan to seat you together. If the event appears sold-out, or you want to add to an existing booking, the same applies - just drop us an email to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to make a plan!

• If you struggle with the booking or online payment process, or want to swap tables, we can’t help with that - so please contact Quicket on [email protected]. And, if you can’t make the show and want to try to resell your tickets, please make use of Quicket’s secondary ticket sale option online - or let us know and we’ll try to sell your tickets on the door.

DOORS OPEN AT 6PM, SHOW STARTS AT 7:30PM