Cape Town - The eccentric former Bongo Maffin star, Thandiswa Mazwai, has hit back at those who criticised her flamboyant hairstyles, saying: “For a black person to say my look is scary, they must look at themselves.”
Mazwai was one of the acts featured at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival on Saturday night, together with headline act, Jill Scott and Cubans Orquestra Buena Vista Social Club.
The acts followed an impressive programme on Friday night, which featured acts such as acid jazz group The Brand New Heavies, afro-pop stars Mafikizolo and house sensation Mi Casa. Scott was back this year after she cancelled her performance last year and was replaced by Lauryn Hill.
Mazwai’s fashion sense and hairstyles are often influenced by African cultures, and she was recently described as having “scary” hair.
Speaking ahead of her evening performance on Saturday, Mazwai said: “My aesthetic is an African aesthetic. These are Masai beads.”
Last year, the singer held auditions for musicians so that she could form an all-female band.
She explained that the female ensemble has performed at Bassline in Joburg and that she wants to take them on a national tour this year.
“It is hard to find female musicians. I wanted to feel what it was like to play with women.”
Mazwai’s last album Ibokwe was released in 2009 and she hinted on Saturday that she could release her next one in seven months’ time.
She is also planning on recording with trumpeter Hugh Masekela in his studio.
“I burn impepho (a herb) on stage to cleanse the space to allow my energy. I don’t want to think about what the Brand New Heavies did (Friday) night. I want to own that space,” she said ahead of her performance.
The 13-piece Orquestra Buena Vista Social Club is an extended outfit that includes surviving members of the original Buena Vista Social Club band. The group features Barbarito Torres, who impressively played the laud guitar behind his back.
Speaking via a Spanish translator on Saturday, he explained that the instrument came to Cuba from the Middle East via Spain. He said it was often played in rural areas in Cuba. Elderly singer OmaraPortuondo featured as a vocalist with the band, often lifting her dress a little to dance and lowering her knees.
Also speaking through a translator, she said: “In the old days we used to work, we used to travel. We were very active musicians. Our music has its origins in a club in Havana.” She said Cuban culture was one of song and dance and that they were pleased to share it with a Cape Town audience.
Rappers AKA and Kuli Chana were the last scheduled performers, which took place at Bassline. AKA was proud of this.
He said, “Who wants to hear a humble rapper? If I am closing the Jazz Festival, I’m going to pop champagne.”
AKA said he considered himself an ambassador of South African hip hop and pointed out that he won Best Street Urban Album and Male Artist of the Year for his debut album Altar Ego.
Having opened for Kanye West this year, he joked he would like to think of it as West having closed for him.
* If you missed all the jazz action, you can still go to The Mahogany Room in Buitenkant Street, Cape Town where jam sessions from 7pm are expected to feature festival performers. Entrance is R20.
Weekend Argus