MUSICAL LIFE BEGINS AT 40 FOR THANDISWA

IF indeed respect is earned, and not given, then singer Thandiswa Mazwai has earned her stripes.

For a jazz novice, who started her singing career as a teenage vocalist in kwaito group Jack Knife in the mid 1990s, to be afforded so much respect on the night of her album launch speaks volumes about her musical journey.

Mazwai's third and latest album Belede, her entry into the world of jazz, was launched to the public on Thursday night in the belly of Soweto at the township's state-of-the-art theatre.

Having greats Sibongile Khumalo, Caiphus Semenya and Letta Mbulu in the audience was a mega stamp of approval that the nine-track album is a great effort for a green horn.

And as expected, Mazwai did not disappoint. She walked onto the stage with the dignity of Nina Simone and had the audience eating out of her hand.

It was as if she knew that she had to nail it. After all, this was her night of transformation from a talented but erratic young kwaito songstress to a measured jazz vocalist.

And she did not fail. In fact she was so demanding that if her band was not composed of among others piano sensation Nduduzo Makhathini and extraordinary bassist Herbie Tsoaeli, it could have been chaos.

Makhathini and Tsoaeli, men of immense talents in their own right, were able to improvise when Mazwai was swept away by her inner spirits and veered off the scoresheet.

They were quick on their toes and managed to read her sudden path.

She was especially emotional when she did Wakrazulwa, a piece she is dedicating to the late Busi Mhlongo.

Mazwai still regards Mhlongo as her mentor while the larger public sees her as the heir to the throne left vacant by the Yapheli'Mali Yami hitmaker.

When she did her own cover of West Wind only accompanied by piano, it was confirmation that Mazwai had now transcended the public's understanding of her talent.

For an artist to move from one end of the musical universe to the other requires an extra ordinary gift. Mazwai has it in abandance.

One such artist who comes to mind is actress and rapper Queen Latifah, who has not been shy to dabble in jazz in between what she is popularly known for.

Mazwai also did her own hit song Ndiyahamba in a manner that she has not performed it before.

As a tribute to Miriam Makeba, she braved to cover Malaika. She did it with class and again, it was Tsoaeli who came to the party to enhance her interpretation of this iconic tune.

As a politically aware artist who grew up in a politically active family, she closed off with Makubenjalo. She raised her fist and the audience rose to their feet.

At 40, it is befitting to say that Mazwai's real musical life starts here.