Trombonist, arranger, educator, music director, teacher and career coach Lebohang Pangwa recalls the Jazz collection her father had when she was young. “I grew up hearing Jazz at home. As a toddler, I would listen to music with him and had favourite tracks I requested he played from time to time”, she told Jazz It Out. At the time, she never anticipated she would be a musician going by the stage name Mizzbone.

Her musical journey began at the age of 11 while enrolled at Collegiate Girls Primary School in Gqeberha. “My mom signed me up to start music lessons but never told me”, she said. When she heard her name called together with other learners, she was taken by complete surprise. “Our teacher took us to the music department where we did ear tests, clapped to rhythms, and sang to melodies played on the piano”, she added. From there they were taken through different instruments where they heard, saw, touched and chose what appealed to them.

Choosing the trombone came after she showed no interest in the saxophone, flute, recorder and other instruments. She remembers hearing a sound similar to that of trombonist JJ Johnson, whom her father played quite frequently. Much to her delight, she saw the brass teacher Igor Vassiliev playing the trombone. “I was so excited”, she said. First she was given the E flat horn, but because she was too small, she was moved to the euphonium which sounds almost similar to her favourite instrument. “I made it clear that I expected to play the trombone in a year”, recalling that episode. Eventually she was given the trombone and never looked back.

Trombonist Lebohang ‘Mizzbone’ Pangwa. Picture Supplied

Despite excelling in tennis and basketball, her best memories were those of playing music. “I was really obsessed and always excited to go for my lessons and take the instrument home for practice”, she remembers. Mizzbone loved her music teachers. Even though they were strict, she found them easily approachable and relatable. She also sang in the choir. The most exciting part was her inclusion in the school orchestra, which was a huge deal those days.

When she moved to Collegiate High School for Girls, she continued playing her favourite instrument. Even though music theory and history were not her favourite subjects, she did well until the workload increased at Grade 11 and 12. Her choice of music was very mature and diverse. She loved JJ Johnson especially the album “Vivian” which the trombonist dedicated to his late wife with “Frankie and Johnny” always on repeat. The list also included Jonas Gwangwa, Michael Franks, Kurt Elling, Poncho Sanchez, Pat Metheny, Dianne Reeves, Nina Freelon, Bobby McFerrin, Vanessa Rubin, Roy Hargrove and Arturo Sandoval.

Commercially, she was obsessed with Hip Hop and Neo Soul. “I was listening to Mos Def, Black Star, MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Common, D’Angelo, A Tribe Called Quest, Slum Village and many others”, she said. Rock artists such as Roxette, Bryan Adams, Indecent Obsession, Alanis Morissette and Jon Bon Jovi were also her favourites. At her final year of schooling, the important conversation with her parents about her career choice had to happen, and went very well. Receiving an honours blazer for music in Grade 11 was an indication of where she was headed, and was generally a B student with occasional A’s. She matriculated in 2002.

Mizzbone turned professional while completing her studies at TUT. Picture Supplied

In 2003, Mizzbone enrolled at Pretoria Technikon now called Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) where she studied Jazz. Some of the musicians she studied with included Silas Fuphe, a phenomenal guitarist about to release his Jazz album. She also studied with A J Bukenya, who was a Jazz pianist, producer, and songwriter for some popular House Music such as “Listen with your Soul” going by the stage name of Art Jones and “I Love Music” by Lebo Mathosa. Another one is Monde Msutwana who is doing amazing things as a vocal coach on Idols. “I also admired drummer Justin Badenhorst and trombonist Siya Makuzeni”, she said.

She turned professional in 2005 while at TUT. Besides the trombone, she can play euphonium and trumpet. “I can hold my own on those two instruments”, with a chuckle. She acknowledges that the trombone is not an easy instrument to play and navigate. “I really loved how JJ Johnson played it through sliding that sounded incredible to me. It always sounded like it could almost speak and form sentences”, she explained. It’s the sweetness of the tone, the way in which notes can blend, how warm and rich the low range sounds and how absolutely crisp, bright and popping the high range can sound which makes her love the instrument.

In 2005, she joined an all female band called Diva which was led by bassist AusTebza. They gained popularity in Johannesburg and signed a record deal. “That year, we played a couple of gigs with the late saxophonist Moses Khumalo. Then one day we ran into Hip Hop Pantsula”, she recalls. The late sensation popularly known as HHP told them how he wanted a live band and his preference for it to be all female. “We began talks with him which resulted in us being his first live band”, she added. By the time she graduated at TUT in 2006, she was getting paid for live performances. This was the beginning of a career she had been yearning for.

Playing the instrument she chose from primary school. Picture Supplied

In 2007, the trombonist was booked by AfroTraction where they performed at Oprah Winfrey’s Party in Sun City, together with female pop trio Jamali. “That was a mind blowing moment in my fresh career”, with fond memories. She was also part of Thandiswa Mazwai’s band that performed at North Sea Festival which has since been renamed Cape Town International Jazz Festival. “I remember Thandiswa as friendly, calm and silly”, with a chuckle. She describes Thandiswa as someone who is creatively insane. Despite feeling nervous about the performance, she was very excited hearing the perfect sound mix of her instrument.

Between 2010 and 2017, she was part of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Military Band. “I enjoyed playing in the South African Tattoo which used to be held at Monte Casino”, she said. Mizzbone loved being in the frontline, playing in this ensemble. At the time of her resignation, she was grateful for the experience gained, playing marching music which reminded her of the movies she would watch with her father when was young. “I loved that practical precision so much”, she added.

Some of her career highlights include being part of recording “All Things Grey” with Kaboom and Berita’s self titled album. “As a sessionist, you must work on the ability to hear, read and play lines with accuracy and clarity, while adding feeling to it”, she said. These are skills she honed through playing at different gigs where often an artist is given sheet music on the day of performance. With Kabomo, it was all about hearing the melodic lines and playing them back with accuracy. With Berita, she was called on the recording day, given scores to quickly look over and work began. Both recordings received South African Music Awards (SAMA) nominations.

She is a versatile trombonist. Picture Supplied

She has also performed with the Johannesburg Big Band alongside Mandisi Dyantyis and Siya Makuzeni. “With Mandisi, it was his Jazz orchestra, and with Siya it were different projects including those where she collaborated with Dyantyis”, she said. As a music director, she has organized and facilitated music workshops aimed at empowering young music students to take charge of their music education. She has been invited to sit on several panels where she speaks on issues faced by women in the music industry. When Linda Tshabalala recorded her award winning album “Convergence: Bekezela Siyeza”, she played the role of arranger and music scorer.

Mizzbone is a qualified life coach dedicated to creating innovative opportunities for independent musicians and driving meaningful change within the music industry. “I focus on young people who are at the entry level of their profession because I feel strongly that they need guidance which will enable them to navigate their career landscape”, explaining the joy she derives from doing something she is passionate about. She obtained her coaching licence from Goethe Institut Johannesburg, which included a six month cultural entrepreneurship, programme with the institution in 2019. It further entailed workshops, masterclasses, and one on one sessions of business coaching.

A sessioniost that is always ready to play and record. Picture Supplied

Brasshopper Music is a music school she founded which teaches music virtually to young and adult students. “My students who have taken the ABRSM and Trinity Music exams have all passed with Distinction and/or Merit”, with a sense of fulfilment. She always advises young women that wish to play the trombone not to take it too seriously otherwise all the hours they spend practicing will be torturous. “You have to always make it relaxing, and chilled. Time practicing will pass by without you even noticing. Don’t rush for perfection. I show them how to practice the instrument holistically, and tell them to listen to other trombone players. Take it slow so that you can learn”, showing years of experience.

Tlale Makhene, Tutu Puoane, Jonas Gwangwa, Themba Mkhize, Siya Makuzeni, Mandisi Dyantyis, Andile Yenana, Gloria Bosman, Ziza Muftic and Winston Mankunku Ngozi are her favourite South African artists. Internationally, she likes Kurt Elling, Natalie Cole, Pat Metheny, JJ Johnson, Bill Watrous, Michael Franks, Rachelle Ferrell, Roy Hargrove, Ibrahim Maalouf, Bobby McFerrin, Snarky Puppy, Poncho Sanchez, Incognito, Esperanza Spalding, Ivan Lins, Michel Petrucianni, George Duke, Al Jarreau, Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour and most recently Sipur Layla.

She loves gaming particularly the Xbox. “I also enjoy my braai sessions. They provide mental escape on weekends”, she said. Mizzbone does this all by herself with a live concert playing in the background. “I love the feedback from my guests on different rubs and marinades I use when making meat for the braai”, she added. This creative also likes to sketch and participate in some painting challenges. Art was part of her matric subjects. “I recently resumed art. It gives me a real mental break”, she concluded. Her Facebook account is Lebo Pangwa. Follow her on Instagram @mizz_bone.