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Blowing them away: Cape Town-born, and educated at UCT and The Juilliard School in New York, this year’s Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Jazz winner, trombonist Siya Charles, will perform at the Joy of Jazz Festival in Joburg later this month. Photo: Mark Wessels and Daniel Song
AFRICAN JAZZ

Musician Siya Charles is breaking brass ceilings

The 2025 Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz reflects on her beginnings, her inspirations and her vision for South African jazz

  • Rolland Simpi Motaung
8 min read
Some albums Jonas Gwangwa either participated in or led through the years
ABDULLAH IBRAHIM

Brass, class, steel and sorrow: Jonas Gwangwa cut close to the bone

The trombonist’s music-making was inextricably tied up with South Africa’s struggle for freedom

  • Gwen Ansell
9 min read
AMANDLA

‘Amandla’ review: Blood, tears and music of the struggle

‘Amandla’s’ status as a cultural rallying point during apartheid is captured in this Sounds review, republished in Chimurenga’s book ‘Festac 77’

  • Jack Barow
3 min read
ABDULLAH IBRAHIM

The Portfolio: Siphiwe Mhlambi on Jonas Gwanga, ‘a proper human being’

Siphiwe Mhlambi spent several years photographing his friend Jonas Gwangwa as he performed. Mhlambi spoke to the Mail & Guardian about their relationship

  • Siphiwe Mhlambi
6 min read