Thirty-three-year-old South African saxophonist and composer Linda Sikhakhane is a prominent figure among the new wave of South African musicians reshaping contemporary jazz. Collaborating with artists like Nduduzo Makhathini, Thandiswa Mazwai, and the late Sibongile Khumalo, Sikhakhane brings a fresh yet deeply rooted sound to the genre. His music reflects the dynamic evolution of South African jazz, drawing inspiration from legends such as John Coltrane and Winston Mankunku Ngozi. With a mastery of the saxophone refined through formal training and collaborations with both local and international musicians, Sikhakhane is steadily gaining recognition on the global jazz stage. In 2022, he was named the Standard Bank Young Jazz Artist.

Early Life and Education

Linda Sikhakhane was born on June 14, 1992, in Umlazi, a township in KwaZulu-Natal, Durban. His passion for music, particularly jazz, emerged at an early age, leading him to study under the guidance of Dr. Brian Thusi and Mr. Khulekani Bhengu. He later pursued a diploma in Jazz and Popular Music at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), where his talent earned him bursaries from SAMRO, the National Arts Council, and the Leeds Youth Big Band.

Sikhakhane’s journey with the saxophone began when he joined the Siyakhula Music Centre, setting him on a path of continuous growth. Over the years, he has performed with numerous esteemed South African musicians and shared the stage with international artists. In addition to his performances, he has contributed to music education, mentoring and teaching young musicians.

Career

Through his dedication and passion for jazz, Linda Sikhakhane won the SAMRO Overseas Scholarship competition, competing against well-established names in the field. With a strong academic drive, he used his prize money to pursue a degree at The New School in New York, further refining his saxophone skills.

Sikhakhane’s musical journey, from Umlazi in KwaZulu-Natal to New York City and back, reflects a global jazz perspective deeply rooted in his South African heritage. His early mentors included Brian Thusi and Nduduzo Makhathini in South Africa, as well as Billy Harper, Reggie Workman, David Schnitter, and Charles Tolliver in the United States.

After completing his undergraduate degree at The New School, he continued his academic pursuits by enrolling in a master’s program at the Norwegian Academy of Music in 2022. However, his creative output extended beyond his studies, as he spent countless hours in recording studios and on stage. He has collaborated with a range of artists, including the late Sibongile Khumalo, Thandiswa Mazwai, Feya Faku, and Marcus Wyatt.

His debut album, Two Sides, One Mirror (2017), brought together a group of like-minded musicians from the improvised jazz scene, producing compositions filled with deep spiritual yearning. This reflective and expressive style carried into his second album, An Open Dialogue (2020), recorded live in New York. That same year, he was named Apple Music’s Artist of the Month for November, and the album was nominated for Best Jazz Album at the South African Music Awards.

In 2022, Sikhakhane released his third album, Isambulo, described as “a fluid and deep exploration of jazz, seamlessly blended with tradition.” He also realeased an album in 2024 called iLadi.

Albums

2017 – Two Sides, One Mirror

2020 – An Open Dialogue

2022 – Isambuilo

2024 – iLadi