Linda Sikhakhane

Through his searching, saxophonist, composer and Blue Note artist Linda Sikhakhane epitomises the vibrant evolution of South Africa’s jazz landscape. The Umlazi-born and KwaNongoma descendant musician establishes a conversation between the contemporary and traditional, homegrown and global while steeping his ruminations on the personal, societal, spiritual and cultural in rich tones. Owing inspiration to greats such as John Coltrane, Bheki Mseleku and Winston Mankunku Ngozi, Sikhakhane’s style is informed by the interplay between the metropolitan and the folkloric. His offerings deftly align these sonic influences with theoretical concepts drawn from both hereditary customs and academic abstraction.