Love of music drives Amanzimtoti jazzman

Now near to completion of his degree in jazz music, the fundi is also playing his way to many performance venues all over Durban.

“I’ve always been interested in bands, the old-school 70s and 80s type,” said Josh.

“I used to listen to a lot of rock music. ACDC, Thin Lizzy and Led Zeppelin were some of my favourites.”

Josh began his musical journey at the age of 13.

“I’m not really a team player, so playing the guitar was something that just worked for me,” said Josh.

While he gave this reason for picking up a guitar and fine-tuning his passion, his mother, Debbie believes it was all due to the absence of a household TV for a long time, “The boredom became too much for him,” she said.

Josh admits to aspiring to be the ‘front man’ when he was younger, but as time has marched on, his priorities veered from the image and went more towards an interest in the composition of the music. Josh then began to ‘dig deeper’, exploring the blues and smooth jazz melodies.

Looking back, the electric guitarist fondly remembers his first classical guitar, a gift from his grandpa. He gives much credit to his first music tutor, Explosion band’s lead guitarist, Wesley Davies for both introducing and inspiring him to take his music to extreme heights.

“Without Wez, the 13-year-old me wouldn’t have been able to continue with my music. After discovering I was a rare left-handed player, he lent me an electric guitar to use,” explained Josh.

He is happy to be studying his degree in music through UKZN, majoring in performance, as it’s given him the chance to network with like-minded musicians, helping him obtain contacts that in turn lead to opportunities.

“It’s not neccessary to study music to be a great performer, but to be a great performer, it is extremely important to network and know a lot of people,” he explained.

“This is what studying this exact degree has offered me, above all else.”

The avid guitarist chose to study his Bachelor in Music because he wanted to go further, to know the composition of the melody, which was not offered in school. He advises school-leavers keen on studying music to ‘go for it’. However, they need to be fully aware that it’s tough and demanding time-wise. The rewards are many as one’s growth is rapid and you’re interacting with like-minded people on a daily basis.

His favourite South African jazz artists include Jimmy Dludlu and Louis Mhlanga and internationally, George Benson and Dexter Gordon. The musician has immense respect for Miles Davis and JK Coltrane.

Local venues often treated to Swanson’s melodies include The Toti Brewing Company, Hit The Spot and Oceans. Durban favourites are Jazzy Rainbow, Parc Cafe and UKZN’s Centre for Jazz and Popular Music (CJPM). As a singular act or performing alongside his talented friend, Nick Pitman or the Groove Croo, he often plays at weddings, corporate events and will be playing at this year’s iconic Highland Gathering.

Having mastered the electric guitar and able to play acoustic, classical and base guitars, Josh also knows his way around the keyboard and djembe drums.

“Ultimately, I want to be a full-time performer one day. I am well aware of the stretch it is in the 21st century,” admits Josh.

“Whatever I do end up doing will always be linked to my love of music.”

In the near future, Swanson hopes to travel abroad, to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or other such places where he can gain experience while earning a strong currency.

“I just want to play with as many people as I can,” said the guitarist.

Jazz month at UKZN has seen a couple of concerts being staged and various jazz workshops offered. Throughout the world, lovers of jazzy melodies will be celebrating this month by either playing or listening to the grooves that get them going.