Theon Cross | Opening Nduduzo Makhathini // Pisa Jazz 2023

Theon Cross, born in 1993, has garnered fame and credibility in recent years for his original artistic contributions and musical versatility. The New York Times describes him as a “prodigious talent,” The Guardian praises his “exuberant inventiveness,” and Pitchfork even crowns him as a “key figure in the vibrant London jazz scene.” Cross has built his reputation through his involvement with Shabaka Hutchings and his Sons Of Kemet, showcasing his unique approach and versatility. A significant factor in his success is his instrument, the tuba, which is unconventional in the contemporary jazz scene. Cross expands the sonic possibilities of the tuba and completely reinvents its role, making it a crucial element of the contemporary jazz scene. In the crowded British Afrobeat landscape, 28-year-old Theon Cross has established himself as a credible and original musician, primarily due to his chosen instrument, the tuba, which has been uncommon in jazz since the bebop era. His eclectic approach allows him to blend influences from urban, Caribbean, and electronic sources with the ordinary brass lexicon. While his notoriety is primarily linked to his affiliation with Shabaka Hutchings and Sons Of Kemet, Cross has also made his mark with Ezra Collective, Nubya Garcia, SEED Ensemble, Makaya McCraven, Moses Boyd, and Ill Considered, all prominent artists in the rich continuum that moves from nu jazz towards more ideologically black-influenced territories.

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Nduduzo Makhathini is an emerging star in South African piano playing. Following in the footsteps of Abdullah Ibrahim, his music is influenced by Zulu culture and ritual practices, as well as by notable American jazz pianists such as McCoy Tyner and Don Pullen, but above all by the music of John Coltrane. Makhathini has stated that he aims to reflect in his music the way his people dance, sing, and speak. His original vision of jazz has led him to collaborate with artists from different cultures, such as the Brazilian musician Hamilton de Holanda.