Toti musician wins All Africa Music award

Amanzimtoti composer and pianist Sibusiso ‘Mash’ Mashiloane won the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) for Best Artiste in African Jazz in Accra, Ghana on 24 November.

Mash, who featured in the SUN when he was selected to play at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in March, was nominated for the prestigious AFRIMA awards in two categories: Best Male Artist in Southern Africa and Best Artiste in African Jazz. He was nominated for the track ‘Niza’, taken from his second album titled ‘Rotha – A Tribute to Mama’ which was released in 2017. He was nominated alongside household names such as Cassper Nyovest, Kwesta, Nasty C and Shane Eagle.

“Wow, I feel recognised and encouraged as an artist (to win the award) – and motivated to write and record more compositions, especially the type of music embedded to my community.

Honestly, at first I did have hope (of winning) and the hope was based on my hard work ethic. But when I got to Ghana and met all the other musicians, I started doubting my relevance and wondered how people hear my music,” he said. Armed now with the validation that his music and compositions are being recognised and appreciated across the continent, Mash is “confident and ready to showcase my work with conviction”.

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He has a masters degree in jazz performance and graduated cum laude from the University of KZN, where he lectures in addition to tutoring at Durban Music School. His focus is to teach and organise live music performances with his students, focusing on South African composers.

Asked if there are there plans to now have his music made available and promoted globally, Mash said: “Yes, we are on the drawing board with my management and have started knocking even harder to promoters around and also I have kept contacts to do collaborations.”

Last year the Toti composer won the Mzansi Jazz Award for Best Jazz Album and Best Contemporary Album. “The All Africa one is a bit more special than the other simply because it’s more international,” he admitted.

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Mash has finished lecturing for the year but is still mentoring a few students who want to keep honing their skills during the holidays. “Most of my students did very well for the year, especially those whose commitment to class work and attendance exceeded an average of 80%. I will continue lecturing next year, as I love teaching and a big part of my goals is to reach the disadvantaged.” Mash is currently doing his PHD focusing on South African composers.

“I do as many live performances as possible, because they assist me to prepare for the studio. This December, however I intend to practise and read my books.” Visit Mash’s website www.sibumash for live performance dates. Already confirmed is a performance at Jazz Xpression in Glenmore on Saturday, 22 December.