Ivan Mazuze

Norway's based saxophonist and composer Ivan Mazuze initiated his studies in music at his home country Mozambique at the National Music School in 1987 with piano as first instrument. After 7 years of classical piano training Mazuze joined the woodwind section of the same school with jazz study approach with focus on improvisation. After finishing the basic elementary music school, Mazuze continued his studies at the Department of Jazz and Ethnomusicology at the University of Cape Town, South Africa.

Ivan Mazuze is Honors degree in jazz and composition studies and Masters graduate in ethnomusicology at University of Cape Town. Mazuze also writes ethnomusicological articles about music and trance in ritual practices, which has been released in the educational magazine “The Talking Drum”.

From the start Mazuze had a clear vision of what he had to do in order to reveal himself as a solo artist in the music industry. Ivan realized that educating himself and mastering his instruments was not enough, and while studying he set up his own production and publishing company to handle the administration and business side of his career. As with all aspiring musicians, at a young age, Mazuze dreamt of the day when he would record his own music. But, for this disciplined musician, the dream became a goal, the goal became part of his ambition, the result was his debut album "Maganda (2009). The album Maganda is a reflection of Mazuze’s musical journey and experiences in jazz and African "worlds" of music. Maganda was nominated for the following categories and awards:

1. Best World Group in the Oslo World Music Festival 2009. 2. Best Contemporary Jazz Album at SAMA awards 2010 (South African Music awards). 3. Winner in two categories for best Afro Jazz album and jazz/instrumental album at Mozambique Music Awards 2010. 4. Recommended best newcomer and saxophonist of 2010 at African Jazz Network.

Mazuze has recently released his latest album namely Ndzuti (2012) which means, “shadow” in the ancient language of Xichangana of southern Mozambique. The music on the album Ndzuti has elements from both southern and West African traditions with Jazz based structures. The album features African and Norwegian musicians residing in Scandinavian countries and guest artists such as the Cuban pianist Omar Sosa and the bassist and vocalist from Ivory Coast, Manou Gallo.

The album Ndzuti has been chosen as recommended album at African Jazz Network 2012 and as one of the key albums of the year 2012 by Music Information Center Norway (MIC) during the summer 2012.

As a based norwegian artist since 2009, Mazuze has in the last three years been representing "world jazz" coming out of Norway at numerous music events and festivals in parts of world in collaboration with Norwegian based cultural institutions such as Arts Council Norway.

Saxophonist Ivan Mazuze emerges from a long tradition of jazz musicians in southern Africa. Mazuze is continually an important representation for this genre. Mazuze performs with his own group and as a freelance participating with artist such as: Bugge Wesseltoft, Omar Sosa and others.

"Ivan Mazuze's Ndzuti is the cheapest way to get a scent of sun, salty breeze and sand between your toes. Sit close to the speakers, there is the shadow that bloom" ... by: Lennart ”Mr Z” Olausson, Sweden (2012).

Ivan Mazuze er et interessant nytt bekjentskap for mange av oss. I april i år gav han ut sitt andre album Ndzuti som er det første som han har produsert i Norge. Albumet Ndzuti har mange godbiter å by på […]. Lasse Haugen for Jazznytt (Norge, 2012).