Azah Mphago

Azah Mphago is an award-winning trans-disciplinary creative practitioner and indigenous knowledge system specialist. He is a sonic healer, thespian, singer/songwriter, educator, music director and cultural activist from the jazz capital of South Africa: Mamelodi. His passionate bond with music and the drum calling started when he was 8 years old and was a chief drummer for the initiates, diviners and patients who had come to consult at his homestead. He would later employ these healing modalities in the creation of his distinct ancestral sounds in his music trajectory.

Azah was the sideman and prodigy of the legendary exponent of Malombo Dr Philip Nchipi Tabane — a moment which he cites as his proudest. He pursued Musical Theatre at TUT and has performed in Africa, Europe, Asia and South America.

His award-winning debut solo album Batswadi featured the multi-Grammy-Award nominee Omar Sosa, Mabi Thobejane, Eric Paliane, Mamadou Niang and Thitiel Africans.

Azah’s second album, Ngoma dza Mapungubwe/Symphonies of Mapungubwe was nominated for the Mzansi Jazz Awards for best traditional jazz album. His eclectic sounds fuse different genres and employ the use of classical instruments, aerophones, membranophones, and chordophones from various cultures.

Azah was headhunted as the musical director for the stage adaptation of Khwezi — Say My Name, written by Redi Tlabi and Directed by Napo Mashiane. The play score went on to be nominated for the Naledi Awards for Best Musical Score. He further wrote and directed a musical, Mmamelodi, which celebrated the rich cultural tapestry of Mamelodi and the socio-political life and heritage, highlighting the Malombo story in relation to the Black Conscious Movement. Azah has also been involved in international collaborations, cultural activism and leadership programmes.