South Africa

Encounter, Not Discovery, with Nduduzo Makhathini

The Myth We Chose, the entrancing new album by South African pianist Nduduzo Makhathini, foregrounds hope and healing, and a conviction in the redemptive power of connection. It's a song-forward statement for Makhathini, who is also a composer, vocalist, and philosopher,. He joins Josh Jackson for an onstage conversation about ritual, responsibility, and the reason he prefers the term “encounter” to “discovery” when it comes to a person's formative contact with improvised music.

WRTI Spotlight

Watch and Listen: South African Jazz Artists Paul Hanmer and McCoy Mrubata

Hailing from South Africa, pianist Paul Hanmer and saxophonist McCoy Mrubata have performed, recorded and composed together for 30 years. Both alums of…

South African musician Hugh Masekela, performs in New Delhi in 2004.

WRTI Picks from NPR Music

Hugh Masekela, South African Jazz Master And International Chart-Topper, Dies At 78

Anastasia Tsioulcas, Scott Neuman

He recorded more than 40 solo albums and performed with musicians ranging from Harry Belafonte to Paul Simon. Masekela died after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer.

Derek Gripper's exploration of West African kora music has produced two acclaimed albums — and, he says, a better understanding of the classical music he was playing as a kid.

WRTI Picks from NPR Music

Guitarist Conjures The Sound Of The Kora From Thousands Of Miles Away

Tom Cole

Derek Gripper's exploration of West African kora music has produced two acclaimed albums — and, he says, a better understanding of the classical music he played as a kid.