Muso turns hatred into harmony

Her new album Tangerine Moon, replete with images of the ocean and its denizens mythical and real, was born of a strong reaction to xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

“After the xenophobic attacks that took place around our city and country, I was filled with anger. But with that, came the need to turn this experience into something positive. I felt I needed to collaborate with world music musicians, especially those from Africa,” said the London-born songstress.

As the daughter of a Polish father, Durno could relate to the stories of immigrants and refugees.

“We spent a few months in Poland when I was very young, and just before I turned two, we travelled to South Africa by boat. I have memories of the crowning of Neptune as we crossed the equator,” she said.

“The song Mermaid’s Tale of Ships and Trains is the story of my journey to South Africa.”

Friends of Durno put her in contact with a number of local and international musicians including Amaeshi Ikechi, Della Tamin and Samson Diamond, and it wasn’t long before work on the album began.

Durno worked closely with the musicians, her husband James and Moya Studios’ audio engineer Goran Josipovic on the 18-track album. It took about two years to complete, and features songs in English, Polish and French.

“My music is a tapestry, and every session musician was important to that. The music is organic, and one can get a sense of the different musicians on the tracks. Some of the tracks were written before the project, others during our recording sessions,” she said.

The result was an album Durno, who performs as Jola ‘n Tang, described as “very sensual”.

“It presents, in music, the richness of colours, experiences and people, with elements of life in South Africa. I’m inspired by beauty and colour, by sounds I hear in daily life, like dropping a pebble into a pot plant, and by my family heritage,” she said.

She coined the term Afrofrazz to encapsulate her musical style.

“It’s an eclectic fusion of folk, rock and jazz, with African roots.”

The Melville resident said she wanted to “celebrate cultural richness and cultural differences”.

“There is beauty in diversity,” she said.

Details: www.jolanta.durno.co.za