Jazz it out

Ntuzuma is a township North of Durban that was built in the 1970s situated next to KwaMashu.  It is also neighbouring Inanda which housed victims of the Group Areas Act passed in 1951 who experienced challenges arising from inadequate infrastructure encompassing housing, schools, clinics, and roads.  Ntuzuma and Inanda were separated by a sugar cane field, which was destroyed to make way for Inanda Newton, also known as Ematendeni.  These three areas are collectively known as INK (Inanda, Ntuzuma, and KwaMashu).

Bucco Xaba recalls Ntuzuma township as a hive of activities ranging from people indulging in umqombothi (Nguni traditional beer) while playing radios at high volume, to drumming sound by Izayoni (members of the Zion Congregational Church of South Africa) not far from his home.  In some weekends he would hear Izangoma (traditional healers) playing drums.  The drummer who is a Sergeant in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and member of its military band was born in Hillcrest 52 years ago and grew up in Ntuzuma.

His family was one of the first to reside in the township.  “I remember smelling paint and cement while thunderous sounds of dynamites were constructing roads to newly erected houses”, he told Jazz It Out. There was a band called Young Jackals that would visit a house opposite his mother’s for more than six months performing regularly.  “Some of our neighbours would take out their sound systems and play vinyl records for the entire community”, he remembers.  Songs such as “Mr Magic” by Grover Washington Jr and “Tico Rico” by Hank Crawford were usually part of the playlist.  “They were not always the richest but very passionate about music”, he added.

Drummer Bucco Xaba. Picture by Zane Benjamin

By the time he was at high school, he was listening The Manhattans, The Temptations, The O’Jays, Sakhile, Bayethe, Sankomota, Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, Earl Klugh, David Sanborn, The Rippingtons, SpyroGyra, Michael Franks, Jimmy “Bo” Horne, Hank Crawford, Grover Washington Jr, Koinonia, Jimmy Smith, Shirley Scott, Donald Byrd, Andreas Vollenweider, George Howard, Thetha, Jean Madubane, The Angels, Amaswazi Emvelo, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Kamazu and many others.  

Members of Amandla, an ensemble that included vocalist and pianist Linda Olifant ka Mpale, trombonist and composer Jabu Magubane, bassist Madoda Mhlongo and guitarist Mike Mokoni saw a potential in Bucco and began to nurture his talent.  He joined Headway, a group that was formed by ka Mpale as its drummer, and the military band in Pretoria.  “When I joined the army, I only had basic music theory and knowledge of drum important patterns and a paradiddle”, he said.  Little did he know that he would work with some of the country’s top jazz musicians.  Today he is one of the most sought after drummers.  

Bucco’s drumming skills got noticed by saxophonist McCoy Mrubata, bassist Mlungisi Gegana, guitarist Moss Mogale, saxophonist Khaya Dlamini, bassist Jesse Mogale, saxophonist Barney Rachabane, trumpeter Sydney Mavundla, saxophonist Zim Ngqawana, guitarist Selaelo Selota, trumpeter Feya Faku, saxophonist Steve Dyer and Jazz Unlimited who booked him.  “I would participate in jam sessions while attending School of Music in Johannesburg”, he recalls.  He also worked with the likes of saxophonist Sydney Mnisi, bassist Lucas Senyatso, percussionist Tlale Makhene, bassist Jimmy Mngwandi, trombonist Siya Makuzeni and many others.

Bill Donaldson gave him lessons on Afro-Cuban drumming.  As a versatile drummer, he gets to perform with different artists which he often thinks can be very tough.  “Playing every genre is for the most gifted”, he said.  Bucco wants to see himself becoming a better drummer than he currently is.  The list of musicians he has been playing with suggests he is not an average drummer.  This sideman has played with guitarist Mthunzi Mchunu, musicologist Sazi Dlamini, guitarist Cebo Ngema, saxophonist Mfana Mlambo, guitarist Milton Chissano, saxophonist Salim Washington, bassist Ildo Nandja, saxophonist Leon Scharnick, vocalist Nina Mkhize and Delta Blue lead by guitarist Gerald Clark and most recently pianist Andile Yenana.

The modest drummer has also played with bassist Thuto Motsemme, pianist Mohau Kekana, bassist Trevor Donjeany, pianist Zibusiso Makhathini, bassists Dalizu Ndlazi, Sibongile Gwacela, Herbie Tsoaeli and Phumlani Mtiti Quartet.  He is a member of Committed Artists for Cultural Advancement (CAFCA) based in Mamelodi which he visits regularly when he is in Pretoria. It has produced the likes of saxophonist Nhlanhla Mahlangu who was nurtured by of Vusi Jele.  Another artist that was trained at the institution is Sibusiso Matsimela who is now based in Cape Town. His former teacher Jesse Mogale is currently running CAFCA as a Director.

Bucco is adamant that jazz musicians must make it their responsibility to make Jazz heard and more accessible.  “If we say Jazz is not doing well, its musicians who need to do something about this.  If we say Jazz is dead, it means musicians are also dead.  People who will have a strong influence are those who practice the artform”, he emphasized.  He warns young musicians not to worship their models.  They can learn from more experienced musicians but remain themselves.  His favourite artists are Victor Ndlazilwana and Stevie Wonder.