Sibusiso “Mash” Mashiloane Announces Release of Eighth Album Isigqi
Acclaimed South African pianist, composer, and scholar Sibusiso “Mash” Mashiloane is set to release his highly anticipated eighth album, Isigqi, live at the bird’s eye, on all digital platforms on 30 May 2025. The release will be followed by a live launch event at The Chairman in Durban on 1 June 2025, featuring a stellar line-up of celebrated musicians.
Isigqi, meaning “the beat” in isiZulu, pays homage to the pulse of township life, the wisdom passed between generations, and the enduring sound of home. Inspired by the influential figures who have shaped Mashiloane’s personal and musical journey, the album serves as both a sonic reflection and a tribute to mentors, community leaders, and pioneering artists. It was recorded live at the iconic bird’s eye jazz club in Basel, Switzerland, during a 2024 residency supported by Pro Helvetia, with Mashiloane performing alongside a Swiss ensemble.
The launch concert at The Chairman will see Mashiloane joined by renowned musicians, such as bassist Dalisu Ndlazi, drummer Riley Giandhari, and trombonist Siyalo Zulu. Audiences can expect an immersive experience rooted in African philosophies of Ubuntu, reflecting the rich emotional and sonic landscapes of Mashiloane’s signature sound.
Adding to the celebration, Mashiloane has graduated this month of May with a doctorate from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. His research focused on local jazz identity and the ways South African musicians give voice to their heritage through jazz.
“Isigqi is a culmination of many things: my personal journey, my academic reflections, and my tribute to those who walked before me,” says Mashiloane. “It’s about recognising how music carries memory, identity, and connection.”
UKZN praised Mashiloane’s scholarly work and recitals, describing them as “musical awakenings where musicians internalised and practised jazz as a language spoken through their own accents, languages, and meanings.”
With previous awards and widespread acclaim, Isigqi reaffirms Mashiloane’s role as a key figure in shaping a distinctly South African jazz language: one grounded in community, ancestral memory, and rhythmic depth.
Event Details:
Isigqi Album Launch
The Chairman, Durban
1 June 2025
Tickets: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/314250-sibusiso-mash-mashiloane-isigqi-album-launch/#/