South African pianist and composer Nduduzo Makhathini has brought his unique sound to NPR’s iconic Tiny Desk Concert series, delivering a performance that transcended music and entered the realm of spiritual healing.
For his appearance, Makhathini curated what he called the Ntu Sonicities Devotion Suite in Five Movements, a body of work designed as a meditative journey. The suite reflects his deeply rooted philosophy of music as a spiritual practice and a form of devotion, where sound becomes a conduit for reflection, healing, and connection.
Joined by bassist Zwelakhe-Duma Bell le Pere and drummer Kabelo Mokhatla, Makhathini’s performance unfolded as an immersive soundscape. It combined intricate piano improvisations, pulsing rhythms, and spiritual reflections sung and spoken in Zulu. Adding layers of texture, the performance also featured sound design elements activated by a laptop and the subtle use of a vocoder, creating a deeply atmospheric experience.
The result was a set that moved far beyond technical mastery, inviting listeners into an act of communal participation. Makhathini’s Tiny Desk debut not only introduced his artistry to a broader global audience but also reinforced his position as one of South Africa’s most profound and intentional musical voices.
For audiences, it was more than a performance—it was an offering, a moment of devotion captured in sound.
SET LIST
Ntu Sonicities Devotion Suite in Five Movements
Movement One: “Kuzodlula”
Movement Two: “Omnyama”
Movement Three: “Equidistant Passage”
Movement Four: “Izinkonjana”
Movement Five: “Imvunge”
