Jazz it out

Musician, photographer and vocal lecturer Lauren Hendricks is an extremely intelligent and talented human being. Friend and fellow musician Abigail Petersen describes her as someone who has a passion for all things creative, has an inquisitive mind, and always want to learn something new. “Lauren can be playful at the best of times, but has a very professional mindset when put to task. She is one of the most generous and sweet souls around, and a loyal friend to the bone. A very caring, wonderful person indeed”, Abigail.

This young and vibrant creative was born and raised in Strandfontein, Cape Town. “My interest in music began at home, where it was a constant and presence influence. I was fortunate to grow up in a household with a deep appreciation for music, and even more for its diversity”, she told Jazz It Out. From an early age, Lauren was exposed to a wide range of genres from Jazz to Soul, Folk, Disco, and Hip Hop. These genres not only sparked her love for music, they also shaped her understanding of its depth and versatility.

Her high school years were about exploring a wide range of genres and artists. Lauren was discovering both new music and legendary artists from the past. “Some musicians who were pivotal in my musical development include Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, Jill Scott, and Gregory Porter”, she recalls. She was also drawn into bands such as Earth,Wind & Fire, and Guns N’ Roses. Legendary Reggae artist Bob Marley was also one of her favourites. That was an interesting era of new music discoveries that shaped her taste and appreciation for diverse sounds.

Lauren Hendricks. Picture taken by herself

She has always been drawn to music for as long as she can remember. One of her childhood memories is telling her grandmother that she wanted to be a singer. “She laughed, thinking it was just a childhood dream, but I told her I’d prove her wrong and stayed true to that promise”, going down memory lane. Her defining moment came during a school talent show. “I didn’t tell anyone I was performing, had no rehearsal, just me and my voice”, with a chuckle. The response from the audience made her realize she had found her calling.

Despite having concerns about their daughter’s career of choice, her family gave maximum support. “I think their worry came from the nature of music itself, being unpredictable and not always financially stable, especially in this country”, she said. That support has given her lots of encouragement, even in uncertain times. Not even once has her family doubted her ability nor discouraged her from following her dreams, something she is very grateful for.

Lauren enrolled for a B Music Degree at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Those years were nothing short of transformative. “I threw myself wholeheartedly into the Jazz programme completely immersed in the genre, environment, and people. I was fortunate to be surrounded by some of South Africa’s finest music educators and deeply inspiring peers”, she remembers. Learning from such passionate and knowledgeable individuals shaped her not just musically, but her character as well. “There was this constant energy, and deeply collaborative atmosphere that pushed me to grow every single day”, she added.

Picture of Lauren taken by Abigail Petersen

She also built strong relationships. From friendships to mentorships, the bonds she formed during that time were some of the most meaningful in her life. It was a vibrant chapter, filled with late-night rehearsals, unforgettable performances, and shared dreams. This young and ambitious student performed at several gigs. “One of the real highlights for me was performing with the UCT Big Band. Every show with them felt like a privilege, surrounded by talented musicians and guided by incredible leadership” she said.

A standout moment was performing with Shannon Mowday and her band in Norway. “We first played together at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival, and later had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform at the Oslo Jazz Festival. Sharing the stage with such phenomenal international musicians was absolutely surreal”, she remembers. It was one of those moments where everything just clicked, music, energy, and connectivity. She completed her B Music in 2020.

Lauren is also passionate about photography. “It was an unexpected but beautiful discovery for me”, she said. She’s always loved capturing the energy and emotion of live music, just freezing those raw, unfiltered moments in time. One year, her mom gifted her with a camera, and that small gesture opened up a whole new world. “I started taking it along to gigs, experimenting, learned by doing, completely self-taught’, she added.

Performing at UNISA competition with pianist Ntanto Ngcapu. Picture by Shooheima Champion

Her journey to photography had no formal training. It was driven by instinct, curiosity, and a deep love for visuals. “I’ve always been drawn to imagery and storytelling, and photography became a natural extension of that”, she said. What began as a side hobby slowly evolved into a real passion. It’s taken on a life of its own. She continues to be surprised by the places it takes her and the people it connects her with. “It’s been a wild, inspiring journey and I’m still learning, still growing, and still just as in love with the craft as I was when I snapped that very first shot”, she added.

That love for photography led to the formation of Inframe CPT in 2021, which started as a natural extension of her love for live music and visual storytelling. “I was already bringing my camera to gigs, capturing moments, and quickly realized how powerful visuals can be in telling a story especially within the Jazz scene”, with a lot of enthusiasm. She derives a lot of joy from photography and videography. Whether it’s an expressive portrait, a powerful performance, or a quiet behind-the-scenes moment, it’s about capturing the soul of the music and the people behind it. Inframe CPT has grown from a side passion into a purpose, and is excited to keep building on it.

It probably came as no surprise when Lauren won the Standard Bank arts photography competition for the category ‘Sounds of Music’ in 2021, which was an incredible and unexpected moment. “As a singer, it felt surreal to be recognized for my work behind the camera, something that started as a side passion and grew into a true creative outlet”, she said. It was deeply affirming to see her love for music and visuals coming together in such a meaningful way. “It was absolutely ecstatic”, she added. The win reminded her of the power of storytelling through images, and how important it is to document and celebrate musical culture. Through Inframe CPT, she has contributed to major projects such as Tefo Mahola’s live album, Sean Sanby’s live recording, and The Commons Festival in 2022 and 2023.

Fulfilling her childhood dream of singing. Picture from her camera

One of the Mother City’s favourite daughters has enjoyed a good career of more than a decade. She attributes her staying power to versatility among other things, which is essential for creatives. She has learned that adaptability is the lifeblood of longevity. “The artistic world is constantly shifting landscape, and being able to fluidly move between the genres keeps your craft vibrant and your voice relevant”, she has observed. Being able to navigate those nuances not only stretches one’s creative muscles, but also deepens their connection and knowledge.

Even though her two careers can be seen as intertwined, Lauren is aware that she needs to strike a balance between singing and photography. “It’s not easy. I don’t always get it right, but I try”, she confessed. Both singing and photography are equally important, and each one feeds a different part of her creative expression. Balancing the two can be challenging, especially when one starts to demand more attention than the other. “But I remind myself that this is actually a great problem to have being pulled between two passions that both bring me joy and purpose”, she added.

Lauren completed her Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies at UCT in 2022. It was an intense programme. which pushed her both academically and creatively in ways she had not experienced before. Balancing research, practice-based work, and performance was very demanding, and there were moments where it felt overwhelming, but helped her to grow as an artist and a thinker. Her thesis, which included the “South African Jazz in Frame” project, added another layer of complexity, as it combined both visual and musical elements. The experience taught her discipline, time management, and how to stay grounded in her purpose.

She has embarked on a tour with Concepts SA called “Hidden Gems – A Tribute to Coloured Women in South African Jazz”, which was a wonderful and affirming experience. It reminded her how important it is to keep narrating stories, and it inspired her to do more travelling both to perform and to take these kinds of projects to a global stage. In the next few years, she sees herself doing an artist residency abroad, collaborating with musicians from different parts of the world, learning, growing, and expanding her creative voice. “I’d love to deepen my skills, explore new influences, and bring that knowledge back home to share with the next generation of creatives here in South Africa”, she said.

Most recently, she participated at the UNISA National Voice Competition, reaching the semi-finals. She says the competition was a wonderful experience. “I got to meet so many new amazing musicians and got to perform on one of South Africa’s greatest stages”, she said. Lauren was honoured to be recognized by some of this country’s top musicians. Beyond performance, she is deeply passionate about music education and the creative arts. When not performing, she dedicates her time to teaching as a vocal lecturer and educator at various schools and performing arts colleges, nurturing the next wave of talent.

Her hobbies include spending time outdoors, which helps her to reset and reconnect. These include going for walks, hiking, or just being in nature, which is something she really values. “I also love visiting museums and going to festivals. There’s something inspiring about being around creativity in different forms”, she said. Lately, she has been enjoying the work of Marcus Wyatt, Kujenga, Bheki Mseleku and Thembi Dunjana. “Each of them bring something unique and deeply rooted to the music, and I find their work inspiring”, she affirmed. Globally, her current rotation includes Roy Hargrove, Jazzmeia Horn, Joni Mitchell, Djavan, Anita O’Day and Sarah Vaughan. Follow her on Instagram @lauren.hendrix and @inframecpt. She is on Facebook as Lauren Hendricks. Follow her on Tik Tok @lauren_hendrix and subscribe to her YouTube channel Lauren Hendricks Music.