Nomfundu Khuluva: Jazz Singer and Educator Discusses Her Creative Journey

Roots and Influence

Khuluva shared that she grew up in a musical family in Port Elizabeth, raised by her grandparents, with her grandfather being a big fan and collector of jazz vinyl. However, in fifth grade, she moved to a boarding school in Grahamstown (now Makhanda). She began classical piano training at an early age and vocal training in her teens. Despite studying jazz in university, she emphasizes that classical training always remains the foundation of the instrument and its technique, as vocal technique and vocal delivery are based on the classical style, even if the repertoire and style are jazz.

Idols and Mentors

One of her idols is the late Sibongile Humalo, who, like her, trained as an opera singer but freely performed both jazz and operatic pieces. Khuluva named Humalo not only a mentor and mother figure but also someone whose artistic mastery she sought to emulate. She studied Humalo's albums long before meeting her in person, noting that Humalo was classically trained yet highly skilled in the jazz genre. Furthermore, Humalo would give vocal texture to compositions originally intended for instrumental performance. Therefore, the compliment she considers one of the greatest is when people compare her work or voice to Sibongile.

Teaching and Creative Work

In addition to a demanding concert career, Khuluva teaches at the University of Cape Town's music school. She notes that she does not have to choose between teaching and performing, as part of her duties at UCT includes maintaining an active concert profile. As a lecturer, she has the opportunity and support to create new works; for example, her latest album was largely funded by the university's research fund.

Return to the Stage and Independence

Last year, Khuluva returned after a nine-year hiatus to the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. Her performance in the usually subdued Rosies venue elicited such a reaction from the audience that spectators stood up and sang along to most of her songs. She says she never knows what to expect from a performance, so she tries to manage her expectations. However, there was a palpable excitement surrounding her return to the stage at the Cape Town Jazz Festival. Khuluva strives to create authentic and honest music, which ensures her community always supports and celebrates her creativity.

Industry Innovations

Khuluva joins a group of jazz stars educated at the UCT music school, including singer Judith Sefuma, the late guitarist Musa Manzini, and guitarists Jimmy Dludlu and Selalele Selota. Khuluva's decision to release her latest album, Ndilapha, as an independent project was partly inspired by her research for an MBA degree. This research showed that the music industry model has changed, making it easier for artists to own their own work instead of signing contracts with a label. She noted that the business model in the music sector has fundamentally transformed, and few people now want to own music since everyone accesses it through streaming services. Although she had no issues with a label, she decided that, being older and wiser, she could release an independent album and fully own it, despite the many difficulties associated with being an independent artist.

New Album Themes

Furthermore, Khuluva discussed the sources of inspiration for some songs on the latest album, mentioned the challenges of finding suitable performance venues in Cape Town, and shared the joy of teaching the next generation of jazz superstars while conducting research into Miriam Makeba's legacy.