Sifundo Myeza was born and raised in Umlazi Township, south of Durban. When he was 5 years old, he would emulate everything that his idol Michael Jackson did. “I wanted to dance and sing like him as he was a global icon”, he told Jazz It Out. For decades, his township was known for setting new trends which is still the case today. Music is played in most township gatherings with residents dancing and singing along to their favourite tunes.

At the age of 8, he witnessed Brian Thusi and Khulekani Bhengu conducting and playing with The Salvation Army. He enjoyed beautiful arrangements performed by this ensemble which inspired him to become a musician. Initially, he wanted to be a pianist. “Unfortunately, my fingers were short and I was introduced to the trumpet which I fell in love with”, he recalls. He was still at primary school when he expressed a wish to join Siyakhula Community Music Centre. Senzo Ngcobo, Sga Biyela, Dalisu Ndlazi, Thembinkosi Khumalo, the Sikhakhane siblings Linda and Thabo were already at Siyakhula.

Trumpeter Sifundo Myeza. Picture by Hugh Mdlalose Photography

While appreciating the music he was exposed to, he was a left back for his primary school team, and played for local teams as a junior in Umlazi. He recalls winning a bronze medal in a school tournament sponsored by AmaZulu Football Club. Despite enjoying football, his love for music also grew and began attending lessons at Siyakhula. “The centre taught me how to play the trumpet from scratch. I also learnt music theory and performance direction”, he said. He credits the centre for those lessons which made it possible to be accepted at University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) years later.

As a high school learner, Sifundo was enjoying music recorded and performed by musicians such as Brian Thusi, Sydney Mavundla, Sakhile Simani, Linda Likhakhane, Senzo Ngcobo, Sithembiso Bhengu, Khulekani Bhengu, Dalisu Ndlazi, Hugh Masekela, Siya Makuzeni, Sisonke Xonti, Marcus Wyatt, Benjamin Jephta, Salim Washington, Nduduzo Makhathini, Sibusiso Mashiloane and many others. While enjoying music of these artists, he was constantly learning its fundamentals. He knew that proficiency does not happen overnight.

In 2018, he travelled to the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Festival in Grahamstown (renamed Makhanda) together with fellow students at Siyakhula led by Brian Thusi and Khulekani Bhengu. This trip exposed him to live performances by incredible South African and international artists. One of those was by the Marcus Wyatt Big Band. “The band played a sound that was different to what I was used to. This made me realize that music is very diverse”, with fond memories. US saxophonist Salim Washington, whose music he enjoys, was one of the artists that performed. He was also impressed by pianist Neil Gonsalves, who would be his lecturer at UKZN.

The Art Messengers. From left to right: Thembalethu Bhengu, Makgashule Thothela, Tumisang Mosome, Sifundo Myeza and Zolile Mgqatsa. Picture by UKZN Press

It was a performance with the legacy band that me him decide to pursue music as a career. Sifundo is now a B Music graduate from UKZN. “I was deeply honoured to be accepted in the music programme of this tertiary institution. His closed friends were drummer Tumisang Mosome, pianist Makgashule Thothela, and bassist Zolile Mgqatsa. He is grateful to be lectured by great musicians like Demetrios Fernandez, Neil Gonsalves, Michael Schneuwly, Sibusiso Mashiloane, Debbie Marie and others.

Together with Mosome, Thothela, and Mgqatsa, they would attend ensemble classes, practice school repertoires, and buy food while listening to music or watching live performances. It was that brotherhood that led to the formation of The Art Messengers, roping in vocalist Thembalethu Bhengu as a rose among the thorns. The ensemble has made several performances, gaining popularity among Jazz enthusiasts in and around Durban. In 2024 and 2025, they were in the lineup of Legends Jam in Mzansi (Africa Day Celebration) at Durban Botanical Gardens.

The choice of this name was taken after six months when they saw a possibility of playing together for the foreseeable future. As a member of this student ensemble, Sifundo has learnt a lot from his mates which has made him a better musician. “I have learned that we must have a common goal as a band. It has motivated me to practice very hard. We always support one another as a musical family”, he explained. Music has enabled him to express himself and connect deeply with the audience. Seeing enthusiasts enjoying the music they perform as a band is a huge motivation.

Doing what he loves. Picture by Aphiwe Moyo

In 2023 and 2024, he performed with the UKZN Jazz Ensemble. He narrowly missed the opportunity of being part of the 2024 National Youth Jazz Band but was happy to proceed to the final round which was a huge eye opener for this young and ambitious trumpeter. At the 2024 edition of the National Arts Festival held in Makhanda, he got an opportunity to be part of a jam session with Miguel Alvaro, Siya Charles, Ramon Alexander and other musicians.

He has also shared the stage with George Mari, Nhlakanipho Zulu, Siyalo Zulu, Riley Giandhari, Blessing Twala, Eldene Bruiners, Thabo Sikhakhane, Talent Mbatha, Samkelo Njinji, Matshitshi Ngema, Khethelo Madondo, Lily Faith, Ntokozo Nsibande, Samuel Tshatsinde, Talent Mhlongo, Khulekani Bhengu, KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, Durban City Orchestra and KwaZulu-Natal Wind Band. After completing his degree, he now sees himself playing locally and internationally while growing as a trumpeter. He is also passionate about teaching young musicians at school and still enjoys playing football.

Sifundo’s favourite musicians include Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Lee Morgan, Chet Baker, Sean Jones, Robert Glasper, Christian Scott, McCoy Tyner, Winton Marsalis, Clifford Brown, Michael Mayo, Feya Faku, Hugh Masekela, Sibongile Khumalo, Khaya Mahlangu, Nduduzo Makhathini, Sisonke Xonti, Linda Sikhakhane, Dalisu Ndlazi, Robin Fassie, Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane, Neil Gonsalves, Marcus Wyatt, Darren English, Bokani Dyer, Bheki Mseleku, Thabo Sikhakhane, Sakhile Simani and Brian Thusi. His Facebook account is Sifundo Myeza. Follow him on Instagram @Sifundo.Myeza and @sifundomyeza on Tik Tok.