Kabelo El Chen Mogale has emerged as the most nominated artist for the 10th Mzantsi Jazz Awards, receiving five nods ahead of the ceremony on 15 August at the South African State Theatre in Pretoria.
Album earns multiple nominations
Mogale’s album El Chen (The Unfinished Story) received nominations in four categories: Best Jazz Album, Best African Jazz Album/Artist, Best Traditional Jazz Album, and Best Male Jazz Artist. He also picked up a fifth nomination in the Best Jazz Song category for the track “iShoba Labangoma”.
Best Jazz Song and public voting
The Best Jazz Song category will be decided by public vote. The eight nominees are:
- Salphina Kadiaka – “Pasopa Driver”
- Wendy Allen Twyford – “Ain’t No Sunshine (When He’s Gone)”
- Mdu Mtshali – “Okae Molao”
- Lefa Mosea – “Unonkala”
- Kabelo El Chen Mogale – “iShoba Labangoma”
- Lindi Ngonelo – “In a Man’s World”
- Wowo Mndau – “Spontaneously So”
- Bonginkosi Yeko – “Mahayihayi”
Album and artist categories
The Best Jazz Album category features five releases:
- Matshawandile Yenana – Way Out Is In
- Lindi Ngonelo – In a Man’s World
- Kabelo Boy Mokhatla – Dot Series
- Siyanqoba Mthethwa – Inevitable (Jazz Edition)
- Kabelo El Chen Mogale – El Chen (The Unfinished Story)
In the Best African Jazz Album/Artist category, 11 musicians are nominated: Berima Amo, Sibusiso Lerole, Apiwu Bubu, Bonginkosi Innocent, Kabelo El Chen Mogale, Christine Kamau, Siyanqoba Mthethwa, Isaiah Katumwa, Fanie Sandile Dick, Dotun Bankole, and Ola Onabulé.
The Best International Jazz Album/Artist category includes Daniel John Martin, Isaiah Katumwa, Tutu Puoane, and Ola Onabulé. For Best Radio Station Promoting Jazz, the nominees are Mams Radio 92.9 and Urban Edge Radio.
Jury-selected awards
Several categories will be decided by a panel of judges. The Best Contemporary Jazz Album nominees are Wendy Allen Twyford’s Reimagined, Mdu Mtshali’s Okae Molao, and Bokang Ramatlapeng’s Qalo.
The Best Traditional Jazz Album category includes Sibusiso Lerole’s Tribute to Jack Lerole, Kabelo El Chen Mogale’s El Chen (The Unfinished Story), Mawatla Ledwaba’s Ledwaba Ndebele, and Bonginkosi Yeko’s Xigaza Jazz Vol. 1.
For Best Male Jazz Artist, the nominees are Mdu Mtshali, Sibusiso Lerole, Kabelo El Chen Mogale, Kabelo Boy Mokhatla, Matshawandile Yenana, and Bonginkosi Yeko.
Public participation remains an important part of this year’s awards, with fans invited to vote in select categories.
