Jazz it out

She is an experimental artist who seeks to express a deeper meaning to music through its sound and content.  Singer songwriter Luyanda Ngubeni was born in Mamelodi and raised in Atteridgeville.  “I am a lover of humanity, dogs and children”, she told Jazz It Out.  The self confessed tomboy is a fun loving individual who finds beauty in almost everything which gives her light and hope in life.

Luyanda recalls seeing her father serenade her mother through songs by Marvin Gaye.  Being raised in a household that loved music shaped her musical ear immensely.  At church is where she learnt how to sing and dance.  She would also entertain guests at family gatherings through her performances.  Her fondest memory was being dropped off at school by her mother.  She also enjoyed reading storybooks in class.

Luyanda Ngubeni. Picture by Tide Me Over

Her father would make time to teach her how to read.  “He was a strict man who made me appreciate value in education”, she said.  As a high school learner, she loved Judith Sephuma, Brenda Russell, Selaelo Selota, Bob Marley, Lauryn Hill, Common, KRS-One, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, The Last Emperor, Illogic and The Roots. Luyanda connected to Jazz and Underground Hip Hop.  The church choir nurtured her voice and gave her confidence to sing beyond its parameters.  She also began to write poems which she would convert into lyrical content.

From a very young age, she observed how people get touched by music.  “I remember one day singing worship songs, ended up crying coiled on the floor and grateful for God’s protection”, she said.  This encounter changed her life and opened her up spiritually.  It added connection to the music.  “A connection to hearts, minds and souls.  An intangible touch and healing the pain of strangers”, recalling what happened that day.

The songs she composes are about what people go through in their daily lives.  “Nina Simone reflected on the times she was living in, and I take a similar approach”, she said.  Luyanda acknowledges that humans are experiencing life in a different way.  “Everything is changing including how we interact with each other”, she added.  Speaking about social ills is how she wants to express herself artistically.  Adding poetry to her lyrical content resonates with her audience.  She believes that music must narrate a story without taking away its meaning.

Doing what she loves. Picture by Gauteng Live

In 2018, Luyanda joined an indigenous African group called BagaNtu as its lead vocalist.  Being part of the band taught her to explore African sounds and express them through understanding Africa as a whole.  “I enjoyed learning about the continent’s rich cultures and traditional music”, with fond memories.  In 2019, she won a gold medal at a national show “Talent Africa” held at Roodepoort Theatre which offered her an opportunity to represent South Africa in the US.  Unfortunately, she could not travel abroad as fund raising for the journey became a major obstacle.

Her versatility saw her featured by Deekay 411 in a Mapiano song titled “Shongola” in 2021.  The song is about the neighbourhood of Atteridgeville where most people suffer from crime, inadequate housing, gender-based violence and poverty.  “We wanted to create awareness about the place and seek a solution”, she said.  Mbongz Gaba also featured her in a song “Ngizolibona” which promotes mental and physical wellness.  “It was meant to be a mantra for the weak to gain strength, believing they’d heal and live to see another day, she explained.

She got an opportunity to work as a backup singer with spiritual funk band IzangoMa in 2022.  “My highlight was my first performance with the band at Untitled Basement in Johannesburg”, she said.  It was her first time to see the audiences singing and dancing with performers.  In 2023, she performed at Black Labone, an event that embraces and celebrates alternative music.  Luyanda is unapologetic about fusing Jazz with poetry, Hip Hop and Afrocentric music.  “However, Jazz must remain the way it is”, she asserted.

The melodist is working on an EP which she hopes to release soon.  She does not want to be boxed in one genre.  “I truly want to showcase my Neo Soul and Traditional music.  I’m not only focusing on a single genre because I want to be known as a versatile musician”, she emphasized.  The EP will be titled “Out” which will be a way of saying ‘my music is finally out’.  She is working very closely with pianist Mpho Tshwale, producers Sozzi, Mac P and King P in the recording.

Her other favourite music genres are Deep House and Reggae.  One of her aspirations is embarking on nationwide tours showcasing her talent.  She loves watching Anime and cartoons as a form of relaxation.  Malcolm Jiyane, Thandi Ntuli, Hugh Masekela, Zim Ngqawana, Selaelo Selota, Mpho Tshwale, Judith Sephuma, John Coltrane, Robert Glasper, Alice Coltrane, Esperanza Spalding, Gretchen Parlato and Kirk Whalum are some of her favourite musicians.  Her Facebook account is Luyanda Cornelia Ngubeni.  Follow her on Instagram @lu_yanda.