Nduduzo Makhathini Delivers Spiritual Devotion at NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The intimate setting of NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert was transformed into a sacred, sonic journey when Nduduzo Makhathini, South African pianist, composer, and Zulu healer, performed his Ntu Sonicities Devotion Suite in Five Movements. Released on August 18, 2025, the performance showcased Makhathini’s deep intentionality, ancestral invocation, and meditative artistry.
A Suite Rooted in Ancestry and Spirit
Makhathini’s performance opened with “Kuzodlula,” a meditation on stillness and letting go of life’s density. This introduction set the contemplative tone for a suite that weaves together spirituality, protest, grace, and Black aesthetics.
The second movement, “Omnyama,” invoked Blackness through incarnations of African deities and divinities, connecting the music to ancestral traditions. By the third piece, “Equidistant Passage,” Makhathini reflected on Black aesthetics through ritual and study, a short but profound meditation that bridged the suite’s beginning and transcendent moments.
The fourth movement, “Izinkonjana,” lifted the atmosphere into what Makhathini called “zero gravity,” a song of grace and transcendence reminiscent of birds in effortless flight. Closing the suite, “Imvunge” erupted as a song of protest and victory — a triumphant celebration of conquest and survival.
A Collective Soundscape
Makhathini was joined by Zwelakhe-Duma Bell le Pere on bass and Kabelo Mokhatla on drums. Together, the trio created a deeply immersive soundscape enriched by layers of sung and spoken Zulu reflections, laptop-triggered sound designs, and the occasional use of a vocoder.
This combination gave the performance a multidimensional quality, inviting the audience not just to listen but to participate in what Makhathini framed as an act of devotion. The interplay between piano, bass, and percussion carried both urgency and serenity, embodying the balance between protest and prayer.
The Musicians and the Moment
Throughout his career, Makhathini has been celebrated for his ability to blend the worlds of jazz and spirituality. His Tiny Desk appearance reinforced why he is regarded as one of the most significant voices in modern African jazz.
Supported by Bell le Pere’s grounded bass tones and Mokhatla’s versatile drumming, the music moved between meditative stillness and explosive rhythm. Their synergy allowed the suite’s themes to breathe fully, from ancestral invocation to celebratory liberation.
A Tiny Desk With Lasting Resonance
The Tiny Desk series, created by Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson, and Robin Hilton, has long been a space for artists to reimagine their music in an intimate environment. Makhathini’s contribution stands out for its deep connection to Zulu healing traditions, ancestral memory, and explorations of Black identity.
By presenting his Ntu Sonicities Devotion Suite, he not only performed music but also offered a communal act of reflection and resilience — a fitting addition to Tiny Desk’s legacy of transformative performances.
Nduduzo Makhathini’s Tiny Desk performance is a reminder of how music can heal, protest, and transcend. For more event reviews, festival highlights, and global artist spotlights, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.