Hey! Dumza Wodumo Lwe Great Jazz-ballad, I Presume

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In 1968, The Moody Blues – an English rock band- recorded a song titled Dr Livingstone, I Presume. Honestly, it is not much of a wow offering. Among others, the track lauds Dr. Livingstone. Yeah, that missionary informer who played no small part in helping open a gaping and septic wound in the heart of Africa.

That was then.

Today, we rhapsodize over one among countless cultural black robes. As waar – out of Africa into the universe. Iye, cala mosodan khona mhlokhapha, you could feel the excitement of a healthy pulse from the spirit of Dumza Maswana. Inene, the musician and Umhlobo Wenene presenter, who quit theology studies, had on his Facebook page good vibes reverberating. Jonga kaloku…, His cajoling baritone drumbeat call boom through written social media posts and video promos. Therefore, in his mouth, this writer puts the words..,

‘Molweni, ndingu Dumisani ‘Dumza’ Maswana, uKhwalo, Ncuthu, Zangwa, Sobese. Yhoo! Andisavuyi ntozakuthi. Thyini! Sana, Kaloku ndiya phaa! E Rhawutini, Jozi Maboneng. Jonga, khawuze uzondibona torho sana, uzakuzivuyisa ngomculo wam’ at the Untitled Basement on 7 October. Ndizabe ndi…’

AW’! UDUMZA WODUMO HAS LANDED

As waar of thyini bafazi, wafika umntu wase zilalini zase… Not e Qonce maan! Jong’apha, award-winning master pianist Andile Yenana, is from Qonce – Yenana produced Celebrating African Song – the third and latest album by Maswana. Well- perhaps – on 14 April 983, kwa bethwa amaxilongo yaye kwa dunyiswa xa uDumza landed on earth, phaya e location yase Bhirha. It is among over a hundred settlements in Ngqushwa – a municipality west of the Amathole district of the Eastern Cape. Idolophana ezikufutshane uDumza akhule engqwenela ukuya kuzo inoba yi Peddie and Hamburg. But then, he heard about Joburg.

A founding and former member of Healing Voices, an all-male gospel group – Dumza is not proud of an early decision to quit school. But the call-ing got too irresistible. Ewe! Ibingxamsekile not to be answered -hurriedly. Thus, he had to trek to Joburg to pursue a music career.

In 2016, umbhali was on sabbatical when Dumza presented his SAMA-nominated debut album, Molo. Meeting Dumza the first time did not produce a Henry Morton Stanley moment of.., ‘Dr Livingstone, I Presume.’ You see.., YouTube had already introduced the writer to Dumza’s ballad-jazz numbers. Oh! Man, talk about the drawn from ezinzulwini zes’ spirit of Dumza, the musically soul-soothing Sombawo. Then there is the campaigning for romance album title song Molo. Now, that is a groovy-baby smooth Jam ‘n Jazzing up things tune out to sweep a lady off her feet with its lyrical charm. Add to the list of songs Andikho, a jive-jolly humorous tune of the wide-appeal type set to jolt bo Nduku’s to jump on stage for the double dobol delight of Jabul’ joy moment at JAM ‘n JAZZ. Anyway…,

YAFIKA, LA MOMENT OF GLORY FOR DUMZA

About two hours before the 7 October performance at Untitled Basement, during a small chat, Dumza says…,

‘I have flu, just a bit, but we will pull through. We are ready for a great show.’ The easygoing musician is no stranger to projecting positive energy – vigour that springs from manifest knowledge of creative art ability and offering of fine artistry. Moreover, he lives the arts, hence the declaration on the uMhlobo Wenene website that music is his life. Additionally, in a Sunday World question and answer piece, Maswana says…,

‘There is no way you will see me perform live and not be a fan.’ Well, the writer is an appreciator. Das right! And so, finally, the Untitled Basement got filled to the rafters. Dumza experienced no struggle to have the audience under his command. Even the lone uncontrollably attention-seeking loud drunk in the audience got swallowed by the good vibes, passion and excitement in the room. Kannete! From the underground came a booming sound of connection to the roots of identity. Artful souls who came to commune in song soared to all corners of the universe – carried on the wings of Maswana’s spirited music. Masterfully, Dumza formed and conducted a choir out of the audience. It also helped that sound production was neat and tight, thanks to Lentswe, the engineer.

From the guest performers, a standout artist to seek out and watch is Joliza. He presents his music offering as bhaca soul experience. Well, the man has got the funk-ah-delic afro-soul trad sound locked down.

Musician Speaks About A Nightmare Love Affair

THE FINAL VERDICT IS OUT ON DUMZA

“Sensational! Sensational! A jubilant audience member cried at the break. Saxophone player Tshepo Tsotetsi was the recipient of the jubilant feedback. Indeed, BRAVO! Is the verdict because Dumza and the band showed up for a great show-off. As a witness, umbhali suggests Dumza Maswana ought to be known as uDumza Wodumo lwe great Jazz-ballad.

On social media -Dumza reflect, with a filled heart, on the Untitled Basement show as follows…, “Oh man, what an experience. Thank you for your love and beautiful energy. Also, thank you for dressing up in my shoes.”

Overall, Dumza is to be enjoyed on record and live. Jongapha! It must have been BANG! DUMZA! And US R&B singer Kenny Lattimore shivered in his vocal pants. Plus, his ex-wife, Chante Moore, probably just melted on hearing the soft boom-boom baritone serenade of Maswana – years back, he opened for the duo on their little tour of South Africa.

SOME DUMZA MASWANA ACHIEVEMENTS OF NOTE

A Dumza Maswana song titled The Letter was awarded Best Jazz Song at the 2017 Mzansi Jazz Awards. Other albums include Live At The Guild Theatre and collaborations with Black Motion and Mobi Dixon. Briefly, among audiences to have enjoyed his live performance include those at the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland (2018), Sing! Festival in Toronto, Canada(2019 and 2022) and Grahamstown festival.

Now, the universe got sent a petition reflecting a desire that Dumza Maswana add JAM ‘n JAZZ to the list of massive events he would have featured at. The next JAM ‘n JAZZ dates are 14 and 15 September 2024, there-by Meander Estate in Bronkhorstspruit. Thus far, JAM ‘n JAZZ is a not government-funded or privately sponsored cultural concept. The concept depends on music, arts appreciators and massive public support – primarily through event ticket buying. Visit www.jamnjazz.co.za