Lwanda Gogwana is a distinguished South African jazz trumpeter, composer, and musicologist. He is known for blending Xhosa cultural roots with jazz theory, drawing inspiration from his Eastern Cape heritage. Gogwana has been an influential figure in the South African jazz scene for over a decade, with his work extending to music education and community outreach.
Early life and education
- Born in East London, in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, Gogwana started his musical journey early. He began with piano and singing in a school choir at age eight.
- Though he initially wanted to play the saxophone, he took up the trumpet because it was the only instrument available at his school.
- He earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Composition and Arrangement from the University of Cape Town (UCT). He furthered his studies at UCT, completing an Honours degree in African Musicology, where he studied traditional Xhosa music.
- Gogwana was also awarded a scholarship to study abroad at the Norges Musikkhogskole at the University of Oslo in Norway.
Music career
- Blending tradition and innovation: Gogwana’s composing style is heavily influenced by his Xhosa cultural roots. His second album, Uhadi Synth (2016), notably features the uhadi—a traditional Xhosa instrument—juxtaposed with modern synthesizers, showcasing his unique approach to combining traditional African sounds with jazz.
- Albums and recognition: His debut album, Songbook Chapter 1 (2012), earned him three South African Music Award (SAMA) nominations for Best Jazz Album, Best Newcomer, and Male Artist of the Year.
- Collaborations: He has collaborated with a wide range of local and international artists across various genres, including American jazz legend Donald Harrison, jazz pianist Tete Mbambisa, Sibongile Khumalo, and Freshlyground. He has also performed with the Jimmy Dludlu band.
- Recent projects: In 2024, Gogwana served as music director for a new musical production at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town. He also composed and acted as bandleader for a compilation album for the London-based record label, Brownswood Records.
Community and educational work
- Beyond his performances, Gogwana is committed to music education and community outreach.
- He regularly conducts workshops for the South African Association for Jazz Education (SAJE) and facilitates programs for the City of Cape Town Arts and Culture Department.
- As a former part-time lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand, he has helped mentor the next generation of South African musicians.
- He co-curated the South African Jazz & Health Alliance (SAJHA) youth jazz camp, further demonstrating his dedication to fostering young talent.
