Draft:Billy Monama

Billy Monama is a South African musician and acclaimed guitarist, composer, bandleader, arranger, producer, author and educator. In 2016, he conceived the Grazroots Project, reviving struggle history within South Africa’s musical heritage. It highlighted the legacy of uniquely South African guitar styles, such as the sound of mbaqanga, mgqashiyo, maskandi and African Jazz. He continues contributing to the South African jazz and music landscape.

Biography

Monama was born on 10 March 1985 in Limpopo. He was a regular church attendee spurred on by his mother’s devotion where he began his early musical experience. In 1997, he discovered the guitar and taught himself all the techniques to define his musical journey. He wanted to study music after matriculating but his parents preferred he follow a degree in Political Science. His passion for the guitar and music studies made him rebel against this course, which saw him enrol for studies at Central Johannesburg College. His early 2000s music education cemented his musical leadership roles.

Monama drew inspiration from the musical legends, including Wes Montgomery, Barney Kessel, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Ella Fitzgerald, John Coltrane and George Benson. Traditional African church melodies have influenced his musicality and his first paying gig was with Gospel Star, Deborah Fraser

South African icons such as Marks Mankwane, Jimmy Dludlu, General Duze Hugh Masekela and Sibongile Khumalo resonated and influenced his style and performance. This fusion of influences marked the genesis of Monama's distinct style, a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation.

Sideman Collaborations

Monama has harmoniously intertwined with various South African musicians and collectives, resulting in co-performances and recordings. Among these collaborations stand:

• Pianist, composer and arranger Themba Mkhize .
• Bassist, composer and arranger Victor Ntoni.
• Abdullah Ibrahim alongside the New South African Jazz Orchestra.
• Pianist Andile Yenana.
• South African pop group Malaika.

• Musicians such as Sipho Hotstix Mabuse,Mbongeni Ngema, Dorothy Masuku, Thandi Klassen, and Jonas Gwangwa

• Fourth generation African jazz artists, like Thandiswa Mazwai, Gloria Bosman and Siphokazi

Bandleader, Producer and Composer

He performed at several events:

• Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival in 2016.
• Collaborative performance with US saxophonist Dave Koz

• Collaboration with Denise Jannah – singer, actor and educator (Netherlands).
• Promusica Theatre’s Summer Jazz and Blues Weekend in 2009.
• South African State Theatre African Nights and Jazz in 2010.
• Cape Town International Jazz Festival in 2018.
• Performed for two nights at the Market Theatre for the Jazzy July series launch in 2018.
• Swaziland Luju Food, Wine and Lifestyle in 2019.
• Curated and directed Guitar Summit dedicated to Themba Mokoena at The Spectacular Concerts in 2022.
• Two Nights concert at Market Theatres Jazzy in 2022.
• Back To the Future concert at The Joburg Theatre in 2023.
• Standard Bandk Joy of Jazz Festival in 2023.

Theatre Work

In 2009, Monama collaborated with musical directors Themba Mkhize and Concord Nkabinde for the South African Jazz Education production "Crazy for Jazz: Our Journey Through Music," under the direction of James Ngcobo and choreography by Gregory Maqoma. He also assumed a musical directorship with the Vuyani Dance Company. From 2015 onward, his musical endeavours have encompassed:

• Rain Dance, choreographed by Luyanda Sidiya, Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner in 2015.
• Gregory Maqoma and Friends: a 25-year celebration in dance featuring Sibongile Khumalo, Somizi Mhlongo and David Tlale in 2015.
• In her Shoes in 2016.
• Dark City in 2016.

Curator

In 2016, Monama initiated the Grazroots Project, an endeavour to rekindle the narratives of struggle history and re-establishing a connection with South African musical heritage. This project saw him collaborate with several musicians, such as Themba Mokoena (Guitar), McCoy Mrubata (Saxophones/Flute), Lwanda Gogwana (Trumpet/Flugelhorn), Mduduzi Mtshali (Piano), Concord Nkabinde (Bass Guitar) and Paki Peloeole (Drums).

The Grazroots Project embraced South African classics and paid homage to the composers and musicians of the South Africa’s past. Guest artists included Siphokazi, Khaya Mahalangu , Nomfundo Xaluva, Lindiwe Maxolo and Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse.

• Wits University in 2017 and 2018.
• University of KwaZulu Natal in 2017.
• Central Johannesburg College in 2017.
• University of Pretoria in 2017.
• Tshwane School of Music in 2019.
• In 2021, he hosted a ‘South African Guitar Styles – The 5-Day Experience’ workshop in partnership with the City of Johannesburg as part of their Youth Month programme.
• Conducted a masterclass with the University of San Francisco and Los Angeles in 2022.
• Hosted and produced the South African Music Education Colloquium in 2022.

Discographies

• Brothers released on 06 April 2016.

• Rebounce released on 27 October 2017. Maputo

Published Book/s: Introduction

to South African Guitar Styles Vol.1 - Five Decades of uKuvamba (1930-1980s).

Tutorials videos:

In

2020, a collection of instructional videos was published which covered South African guitar music across seven comprehensive chapters. These encompassed Maskanda, African Jazz, the Evolution of the Jazz Guitar, Post-1960s African Jazz, Kwela, Mbaqanga, and

xiTsonga styles.

Film Scoring Endeavours: Collaboratively composed music for the South African telenovela "The River." Contributed to projects such as Kyknet's "Arendsvlei", SABC 2's "Forever Young", Mzansi Magic's "The Road"

and the TV series "iSithembiso."

Brand endorsements:

During 2021 Monama secured endorsements from music-related brands such as Gibson, Sennheiser, Elixir Strings, and Orange Amps.

Accolades:

Monama

was honoured with Distinguished Lecture certificates by the Universities of Southern California, Los Angeles and Northern Texas. These certificates were granted in recognition of contributions of knowledge, wisdom and exemplary teaching at the 2022 International

Collegiate Guitar Ensemble Festival.

References:

Other links:

YouTube