“Music is my profession. Service, cultural preservation, and inspiring others are my purpose.” These were the first words baritone singer, composer, voice over artist and radio presenter Dumza Maswana uttered to Jazz It Out. He is a son of the Eastern Cape, firstborn to his parents, and a proud custodian of African heritage. “Long before I became a musician, I was a young boy fascinated by songs, stories, and traditions of my people. Those experiences continue to shape who I am today”, he added.

His childhood at Ngqushwa, where he was born and raised, was simple but meaningful. “As young boys, we looked after livestock, made sure dogs were fed, and spent our days playing games like hide-and-seek”, he recalls. Parents also worked hard in doing chores including planting vegetables, collecting firewood, and preparing meals. Ngqushwa is a beautiful rural village, rich in culture, tradition and community spirit.

Dumza was raised by his grandmother who was also his very first music teacher. Through her, he learnt that singing is not only about entertainment but also about expressing emotions, preserving history, and bringing people together. “One of my fondest memories is hearing her voice from a distance long before I saw her, and I knew that when she arrived, we would sing and dance together”, he recalls. She would also tell him his favourite folktale “Ibali like NomaIndiya”.

Dumza Maswana. Picture supplied

Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston were his favourite artists as a teenager. “I was also a huge fan of Rebecca Malope, Jabu Khanyile and Ringo”, he said. One of his neighbours used to play Clarence Carter, Dolly Parton and Commodores. His musical education has largely been informal, rooted in experience. “I learned by listening, observing, and working with other musicians. Much of what I know came through developing my ear, studying the music I loved, learning directly from artists who were generous enough to share their knowledge and wisdom”, he explained.

He has a vivid memory of a call he received from Linda Ntoni in 2014, inviting him to be part of an orchestra paying tribute to her late husband, the legendary Victor Ntoni. “I was entrusted with singing songs that Ntoni had performed, and that experience changed me profoundly”, still reliving that experience. It was Ntoni’s voice that assured him that there’s a place for him as a baritone. Being part of that project gave him the confidence to work harder towards recording his debut album.

“Molo” (2016) could not have come at a better time in his life. He had been dreaming about recording the album for many years. Dumza was still finding confidence in his baritone voice, questioning whether it was appealing. “I was fortunate to work with four incredible producers Luyanda Madope, Nduduzo Makhathini, Gabriel Stuurman and Banda Banda. Together, they helped bring the vision to life”, revisiting what happened a decade ago.

An artist who is proud of his heritage. Picture supplied

The album was well received, with gems such as “Emihle”, dedicated to his daughter, and “Umthandazo”. It received airplay on 17 radio stations, including Kaya FM, Umhlobo Wenene, and SAfm. “The Letter” was awarded Best Jazz Song at the Mzantsi Jazz Awards in 2017. This project he proudly describes as a labour of love also received a South African Music Award (SAMA) nomination.

His music is a fusion of tradition, spirituality, Soul and Jazz to create sonic experiences that lift, inspire and heal. He writes and sings from a place of knowing, reflecting his experiences while paying homage to his culture and home. “My love for heritage is at the centre of everything I do”, he said. In addition to being a musician, Dumza is passionate about mentoring young artists, equipping them with information and tools they need to make it in the industry.

He used to collect live DVDs and spent a lot of time watching them. “There was always something remarkable about these artists in their purest form, unfiltered, present, and connected to their audiences”, he said. With “Live at the Guild Theatre” (2021), he wanted to create that atmosphere. He wanted music lovers to sit in their homes, feel as though they were inside the theatre, witnessing the performance as it unfolds. “A live recording captures honesty. There are no retakes, just the moment and energy of the band”, he added.

His debut album Molo

For his third album “Celebrating African Song” (2022), he worked with renowned pianist Andile Yenana as producer. Just like his previous recordings, it was well received by enthusiasts and got nominated for a SAMA. Through his live performances and especially with Umngqungqo Orchestral Experience, which is rooted in material from this recording, the songs were reimagined and brought into shared spaces and audiences. “In many ways, this recording continues to live through performance, and people still connect deeply with it”, he said.

Dumza is also a Jazz presenter at Umhlobo Wenene. The journey to broadcasting began when he received a call from former TruFM station manager, Thobeka Buswana, who informed him they were looking for a voice over artist. She did not him much time to sleep on it, told him to start immediately, and that gig lasted for seven years. While at TruFM, he recorded a demo which he sent to then programme manager, Masi Mdingane, who told him his voice did not sound youthful, rather matured and more suitable for Umhlobo Wenene audience. When Mdingane moved to Umhlobo Wenene, he gave the baritone the Jazz slot.

His show “Uncuthu Lomculo WeJazz” which is on air every Sunday between 13h00 and 15h00, is a space dedicated to celebrating Jazz in all its form, giving a huge chunk of its content to South African Jazz, also inclusive of international Jazz. As the host, he is very happy with the interaction and feedback from its listeners. Some of his listeners discover Jazz for the very first time. Others never realized how much they appreciate the genre until they began listening to “Uncuthu Lomculo WeJazz”.

His third album Celebrating African Song

Dumza is on the lineup of this year’s Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival (SBJOJ). He drops a hint of what enthusiasts can expect from his performance. “Imagine going to emgidini or emcimbini, that familiar space of singing, dancing, and shared joy, then placing a full Jazz orchestra behind that experience. This is what can be expected from my set”. He will be performing works from all his albums, as well as some unrecorded material conducted by trumpeter Sakhile Simani with Mthokozisi Mabuza as musical director.

He regards the SBJOJ as a festival that consistently honours both the roots and evolution of Jazz, while presenting some of the best artists from around the globe. “You can feel that it is curated by people who live among the audience that understand the pulse of the community and what aficionados connect with. That sense of intentionality, cultural grounding, and excellence is what has allowed it to remain relevant and impactful for close to three decades”, he said.

When he is not singing or presenting his slot, he spends quality time at home, playing music for his friends, exposing them to some of his discoveries. “I also attend a lot of live music performances and comedy shows”, he said. Driving and eating out are also some of the things he enjoys. His favourite international musicians are Kurt Elling, Dianne Reeves and Jazzmeia Horn. Because of his Jazz slot, he is reluctant to mention his favourite South African musicians, but confesses his admiration for Simphiwe Dana and Thandiswa Mazwai. His Facebook account is Dumza Maswana. Follow him on Instagram, X and Tik Tok @dumzamaswana