Siya Makuzeni

Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz 2016 recipient, British Council ConnectZA commissioned  composer/xJazz resident, Johnnie WalkerKWSA Ambassador,Siya Makuzeni s a professional South  African trombone player and vocalist who has collaborated with Themba Mkhize & SWR Big Band,  Khaya Mahlangu, Lionel Loueke, Sibongile Khumalo, Regina Carter, Ed Sarath, Gayelynn McKinney,  as well as featuring in Grammy artists David Murray, Jacky Terrasson, and Branford Marsalis’  performances between 2016-2017. She is also the band leader of her own rock band, IppYFuzE.  Makuzeni picked up the trombone in 1997 while attending Stirling High School in East London and  studied BMus/BMusJazz at Rhodes University & the Pretoria Technikon Music School. She has since  toured and performed around the globe, most notably the premiere of His Day Is Done at Makhanda  & Johannesburg (2022), UpRising : A Future Her-story at Ford Theatre in Los Angeles (2019) and in  Italy where she contributed as co-composer and lyric interpreter to the CAMScores -produced soundtrack of Forse Dio e Malato (Maybe God is ill). Music producer, session musician , arranger  and voice-over artist when not performing live, Makuzeni has lent her songwriting skills to a few  albums by various artists , including Language 12 albums “Language 12” and “Maji Maji – in the land  of Milk & Honey” , Mpemba Effect’s “Ambient Afrique” and Rudeboy Paul’s “Azanian Pulse Vol.2 ” ;  as well as vocal features in Tlale Makhene’s “The Ascension of Enlightenment” , Afrotraction’s  “Soulfully Yours”, Jack Hammer’s “The Pilgrim” and Frank Opperman’s “Let’s Be Frank”. Her  collaborations include performances and recordings with William Kentridge and Phillip Miller in  Dancing with Dada – featuring Dada Masilo (2011), Mac McKenzie & The Goema Captains, Hederoosjies, MAHUBE, SPAZA, to name a few. Siya’s most recent production features as  Composer/ Arranger are: Audible Originals’ Nelson Mandela – The Lost Tapes, I Am All Girls, Joko Ya  Hao, (Phillip Noyce -directed) ROOTS and Book Of Negroes adapted productions ,and Additional  Music Producer for Mzansi Magic’s “ The Road “ drama series, which was aired in 2015.