Soothing sounds of jazz
PARKVIEW – The local artist is a music academic who performed with big jazz names such as Hugh Masekela and Jonas Gwangwa.
Soothing sounds of jazz can be heard by anyone making their way to or past Parkview Centre.
Jazz saxophonist Karabo Mohlala, who describes himself as a busker, is the man behind these serenading sounds.
Mohlala, who was inspired by his late father who was a jazz music collector, said he studied music extensively. “In 1993 I went to study music at first level at a music institute in Soweto led by the late Ntate Matsemela Manaka. I went on and learnt an akadinda which has a pattern like a xylophone and is played by three people. Then I went to study at Music Academy of Gauteng in Daveyton. I wanted to follow music but with an academic qualification because there are tools and vocabulary you need to have as an artist,” Mohlala explained.
He explained that he started busking in 2012 in Rosebank with a band with whom they would take turns to play at parking lots. “Busking is a way of expressing oneself through music. Sometimes we go away with nothing. You have to feel the mood of people around you because you don’t want to weigh heavy on their souls. At times you run out of tunes then that’s when you need to improvise. What I have is a platform which is different from a stage in the sense that here, people can choose to listen or not too.”
Mohlala expressed his grievances regarding the many requirements in the music industry that seem to restrain artists. He said some genres are getting more recognition than others and it has now become just about money instead of an appreciation of real art. “My last gig was in 2019 when my band was invited to the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz. I’d like to see change within the big offices. Organic music must be played more.”
Mohlala has recorded with legends like Hugh Masekela, Don Carlos, Jonas Gwangwa and Ratau Mike Makhalemele.
Details: Karabo Mohlala Mohlala can be found playing his saxophone on Athlone Road and Tyrone Avenue.
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