Forty years of fire: Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse ignites Cape Town Jazz Fest

“When I looked at the audience, it almost looked like they’re mesmerised,” Mabuse says. “Probably some of them, you know. I’m just grateful that the music that I made in the past, a lot of the people who were there remembered that music.

The performance was in a way different because I didn’t think that the people still, you know, appreciated the music that I did many years ago. And I was like, wow! When I saw the people dance, I was like, wow, this is amazing.” With over four decades in the industry, the veteran musician reminded festival goers exactly why his legacy remains untouchable, delivering a high-energy set that didn’t just open the festival, but ignited it.

Mabuse puts his performance into perspective by noting that a single hour on stage is actually the culmination of 56 years of dedication. He insists that his set is not merely the result of recent rehearsals, but a refined product of decades of practice. The musician remains adamant that the reason he can still perform at such a high level is not due to skill alone, but is a direct testament to his faith “It’s God’s gift.

[paywall]

This whole thing that I’m doing doesn’t belong to me. It comes through me. When the moment arrives, then it’s only the spirituality, the power that says, go out there and do what we’ve brought you here for.

That’s where I get the energy from. And of course, I also get the energy from the audience. If the audience, you know, generates that great energy, I embrace it and I give it back”.

Despite his frequent appearances at the festival, Mabuse and his band aren’t immune to the unique pressure that comes with being the opening act. “Well, you know, opening a show of that magnitude is quite a challenge. One has to be prepared psychologically and musically as well.

So we worked very hard. We knew that in our mind when we were going to open the show. And also the pressure that comes with it, you don’t know if there will be enough people at that time when you open the show.

Pleasantly, we had so many people and it made us feel good.” Younger audiences are rediscovering Mabuse’s music. And he believes it’s due to the appreciation their parents still have for his music, which he is grateful for. “I think it is their parents who introduce the music to them.

For instance, when I was landing in Cape Town yesterday, there was this guy who was with his little children and he was saying “I’m bringing you to a jazz festival. And this jazz festival that I’m bringing you to, this gentleman that you see is the music that I always play for you in the car”. It was amazing.

I even took pictures with them. So I owe it to their parents to be thankful for introducing that music to the young people.” Regarding the current state of South African jazz, Mabuse notes that while the genre is thriving, it must be protected from becoming a mere commercial ‘money grab’ at the expense of its soul. “Jazz is growing in leaps and bounds in South Africa.

It’s just that I think those who actually bring it to the attention of society do not give it that kind of respectability that it should. People must not take music as a money making scheme. As I was driving out into the country and I saw these posters, in a way it was saying the Cape Town International Jazz Festival will boost the economy.

What about the morale of the people? Why doesn’t it also say the Cape Town International Jazz Festival or any other festival for that matter, should look beyond the economy. It should look at how it affects and uplifts society, how it helps to grow and develop humanity”.

[/paywall]