Durban pianist explores ‘Sometime Before’

DURBAN’S Burton Naidoo – pianist, composer, arranger and educator – will release new work reflecting on life Sometime Before the Covid-19 pandemic, as most people long for normality.

“We miss simple gestures like hugs, handshakes and meetings without masking. The music is groovy, edgy, celebratory and nostalgic,” he said.

Naidoo said his love for music was inspired by his parents.

“My parents were pretty hip. I cannot remember this myself, but my mother told me I could pick up simple melodies off the radio and play them on the piano all on my own.

“They sent me for piano lessons with Simon Kerdachi when I was six.

“I recall watching him playing: it was incredible, and it was then that I truly fell in love with the piano.

“My dad was a huge inspiration for me; he was always playing music on vinyl at home, from Paul Simon to Count Basie. I didn’t know it at the time, but that was probably my biggest education in music” said Naidoo.

In 2001 he enrolled in the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s jazz programme, where he spent four years under the wing of legendary jazz keyboardist Darius Brubeck.

Naidoo was awarded a scholarship to study at the University of Artisten, Gothenburg, in Sweden, and in 2005 won the Samro piano competition, winning funding for further international study. He described his music as universal and philosophical.

“I try my best not to make the music complex, just because I can do that. Some of my music is rather simple, because it needs to be.

“I’m more interested in the message and connecting with the listener on deeper levels. I’m also really blessed to have a wonderful family – my wife and two daughters keep the creative juices flowing,” said Naidoo.

The concert is organised in collaboration with UKZN’s Centre for Creative Arts and Centre for Jazz and Popular Music, and will take place at Alliance Francaise in Durban on January 27.

Doors open at 6pm and tickets are available on Webtickets for R60.