As the countdown to the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) begins, pianist and composer Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane returned to familiar ground, offering Durban audiences an intimate and powerful musical gathering that felt less like a concert and more like a shared remembering.
On 18 February 2026, Mashiloane took the stage at the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, joined by his long-time collaborators Dalisu Ndlazi on bass and Riley Giandhari on drums. Performing as the Mash Trio, the evening unfolded as a deeply rooted prelude to Mashiloane’s upcoming appearance at CTIJF in March.
Where Connection Becomes Sound
Rooted in African sonic traditions and guided by a musical bond shaped over years, Mash Trio’s live set moved fluidly between soulfulness, groove and improvisation. The performance drew from Mashiloane’s most loved compositions spanning 2016 to 2025, while allowing space for spontaneous moments — the kind that only exist in real time and disappear just as quickly.
Each note carried echoes of home, memory and lived experience, revealing the quiet power of musicians who listen deeply to one another.
“Our chemistry is the kind that can’t be manufactured,” said Mashiloane. “It’s built over years of listening, really listening, to each other. Expect special guests, surprises, and a sound experience that celebrates the heartbeat of the people.”
For those familiar with Mash Trio’s performances, the intention was clear.
“If you’ve seen Mash Trio before, you already know,” he added. “We aim to leave people with a feeling they can’t quite name, but they’d want it again.”
A Scholar at the Piano
At the heart of Mash Trio is Dr Sibusiso Mashiloane — a pianist, composer and academic whose work bridges scholarship and performance. A senior lecturer at UKZN, Mashiloane holds a PhD in Music, with research that explores South African jazz identity and the cultural “sound of home” that shapes contemporary expression.
His dual role as academic and performer brings depth to the trio’s music, where theory never overshadows feeling, and intellect exists in service of expression.
A Trio of Trusted Voices
Joining Mashiloane is Dalisu Ndlazi, one of South Africa’s most in-demand bassists, known for his warm tone and musical sensitivity. Ndlazi’s journey began in Umlazi, where his foundations were shaped at the Siyakhula Community Development Centre. His early promise led to selection as the National Schools Big Band bassist at the Standard Bank Youth Jazz Festival in 2012, followed by his role as national youth band bassist from 2015. In 2019, he attended the Louis Armstrong Summer Camp in New Orleans, a milestone reflecting his growing presence on the South African jazz circuit.
On drums, Riley Giandhari, also known as Riley G, brought rhythmic clarity and compositional depth. A Durban-based drummer, composer and producer, Giandhari began playing at the age of three, inspired by his father, drummer Pravin Giandhari. He studied jazz at UKZN and holds a Master’s in Music (Summa Cum Laude). His accolades include two SAMRO Overseas Scholarship awards (2018) and Mzansi Jazz Awards nominations (2020) for his artistry and debut album.
A Special Guest, A Shared Moment
The performance also featured acclaimed saxophonist Sisonke Xonti as a guest artist, adding another voice to an already rich musical dialogue.
As the Cape Town International Jazz Festival continues its focus on artists in their hometowns through activations in Durban and Johannesburg, this event stood as a meaningful and powerful prelude — one that honoured place, process and the people behind the music.
Not a rehearsal.
Not a preview.
But a moment complete in itself.
Event Details
Event: Sibusiso Mashiloane – Mash Trio Live
Date: 18 February 2026
Time: 17:30
Venue: Centre for Jazz and Popular Music, UKZN (Durban)
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus,
Dennis Shepstone Building, Level 2
Tickets: R70 – R130
Bookings: Via Webtickets
