Influence Profile
No genre data available
Genre information will appear here once available
Trending in Musa Manzini’s World
Latest Album
New Reflections
Released Aug 31, 2000
Trending Globally
Story
Quick Facts
Born
1971
1971
From
South Africa
South Africa
Journey
Musa Marais Manzini, born on 30 May 1971 in Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal, rose to prominence as one of South Africa’s most expressive and innovative jazz voices. After relocating to Cape Town, he pursued formal music studies at the University of Cape Town, where he later earned his Bachelor of Music. His compositional talent was recognized early with the Professor Peter Klatzow Award for excellence in composition and orchestration.
Musa’s sound was a rich fusion of Cape Flats township rhythms and contemporary jazz, shaped by musical influences like Sipho Gumede and Marcus Miller. Known for his resonant improvisation and lyrical bass lines on both electric and acoustic instruments, he later became a lecturer at UCT, mentoring aspiring jazz musicians in performance, theory, and composition.
His discography includes standout albums such as "New Reflections" (2000), "Tributes & Memories," and “My Bass,” (2004). Later works like “Simply Life,” (2007) and “Trust in Love,” (2012) showcased a more personal and introspective side of his artistry.
Manzini toured extensively, performing at major jazz festivals in South Africa and internationally from the U.S. and Brazil to the Middle East. After being diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2006, he continued to perform and inspire, famously playing guitar during awake brain surgery in 2018; a powerful symbol of his dedication to music.
He passed away on 15 May 2023 in Johannesburg. His influence endures through his recordings, his students, and the legacy he carved into the soul of South African jazz.