Jazz singer releases debut album

One of South Africa’s jazz greats, Themba Mkize has described Nono Nkoane as a ‘breath of fresh air’ and we can’t wait for her debut album, True Call.

Nkoane comes from a family rich with musical history, so it’s no wonder that she would follow in those footsteps, performing at the Robben Island Festival, Standard Bank’s Joy Of Jazz and alongside greats such as the late Miriam Makeba and Jabu Khanyile.

“My mother, who is a teacher, was very active in the South African Teacher’s Union (Satu). I remember when she would compose music that would be sung by the masses at their strikes. She would gather us – my sister, uncle and myself – and have us sing the different parts of the music before presenting it to the people,” Nkoane reminisced.

She revealed that her aunt, Soi Soi Gqeza, is a well-known singer in Cape Town as a member of the group Peto, and her mother was into musical theatre as a young girl and worked with the great Bab’ Gibson Kente.

“Music was all around us. I had no choice but to answer the call.”

Nkoane can’t really say how long she’s been working on her debut album, so it must be a while.

“When I was writing most of the music, it wasn’t for the album. I was writing because I needed to.” She added that once the music was ready, she played it at small venues such as Afrikan Freedom Station in Joburg and the U-space in Pretoria.

“I needed to find out who I am and what my purpose is. I just wanted to find out what I’m supposed to do with music that has been given to me,” she revealed when speaking about the inspiration behind the album.

“With True Call, I am really picking and probing at my spiritual self, going inward to find what I am looking for. The experience gets more interesting when the music is met by the different personalities of the musicians playing the music.”

She considers the fact that her work is being recognised as a highlight in her career, which is only just beginning to take off. “People like bab’ Themba Mkhize, mam’ Sbongile Khumalo and bra Don Laka all listened to my work and assured me that I’m headed in the right direction,” she said cheerfully.

“Being asked by bab’ Sipho Sithole to perform at last year’s Moshito Music Conference was also quite nice. My music being used on some film projects gives me a sense of gratification.”

She concluded by saying that 2016 will be an exciting year for her. “A national tour is on the agenda, lots of travelling. Taking the music to the people. I’m also working on a bass and vocal duo project called Nomad. It features myself on vocals, Gally Ngoveni on bass and it is produced by Nduduzo Makhathini.”

The album is available on iTunes and Soundcloud.

Details: www.facebook.com/nononkoane