Sibusiso “Mash” Mashiloane Graduates with Creative PhD and Announces New Album ‘Isigqi’

Celebrated South African jazz musician and pianist Sibusiso “Mash” Mashiloane has reached an inspiring new milestone in his career — earning a Creative PhD from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, while also preparing to release his highly anticipated eighth studio album, Isigqi.

At 41, Mash has established himself not only as one of South Africa’s top jazz talents but also as a leading academic voice in the study of African musical heritage. A respected lecturer at UKZN, his doctoral research focused on South African jazz identity and how local musicians use jazz to honour and preserve their cultural roots.

Mash says that his PhD journey and Isigqi are deeply intertwined. “I felt it was important to complete the academic work first because the findings directly inform the album’s story,” he explained. His research, grounded in tradition and lived experience, plays a central role in shaping the sound and intention behind his new body of work.

Set for release on Friday, 30 May, Isigqi was recorded live at the iconic Bird’s Eye Jazz Club in Basel, Switzerland during a 2024 artist residency supported by Pro Helvetia. The album will officially be launched with a live performance at The Chairman in Durban on Sunday, 1 June.

The project is more than just an album — it’s a sonic exploration of identity, rhythm, and memory. “This research shaped not only my understanding but also my approach to composition and performance,” Mash shared. “It made me more intentional about the stories I tell through my music. On this album, I consciously explored how our local sounds, rhythms, and cultural memories come alive in jazz.”

Performing alongside a Swiss ensemble in Basel, Mash aimed to create a unique moment where the richness of South African jazz could meet the energy of a global audience. “Recording live in Basel was about capturing the raw, authentic energy of the performance. That energy — spontaneous, unfiltered, and deeply connected — can only happen in a live setting,” he said.

The title Isigqi, which means “rhythm” in isiZulu, reflects the album’s essence — a tribute to the heartbeat of African heritage as expressed through jazz. Each track acts as a bridge between tradition and innovation, academia and artistry, capturing the rhythm of a people, a place, and a purpose.

Mash’s PhD is more than a personal achievement; it is a significant contribution to the documentation of African musical narratives. “Pursuing a PhD was a way for me to formally research and validate the knowledge system our elders have always passed down through oral traditions and performance,” he said.

While continuing to lecture in music theory, jazz studies, and jazz piano at UKZN, Mash remains committed to using both performance and research to uplift and preserve African musical identity. As Isigqi prepares to hit streaming platforms, fans and scholars alike can look forward to a body of work that is as intellectually grounded as it is musically moving.