The family of Muzi Manzini has announced that the jazz maestro will be buried on Saturday, May 20, at H2586, Umnyezane Road, Esikhawini (Next to Hlamvana High School) in KwaZulu-Natal.
The funeral service will commence at 9am at the Methodist Church Service, in Esikhawini.
According to the family statement, Manzini died on May 15, at the Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg, after suffering a fatal seizure.
“Musa was first hospitalised with a malignant brain tumour in 2006,” read the statement.
“Subsequent to the surgery, he had five more craniotomies, three to remove the tumour that had grown back, and three to deal with the hydrocephalus, an accumulation of fluid in the brain.
“Epilepsy and seizures are common complications of craniotomy. Musa made headline news in 2018 after he underwent an awake craniotomy, where he played the guitar while the surgeons removed the tumour,” elaborated the family statement.
The family spokesperson, Palesa Mazamisa, confirmed that the life of Manzini will be celebrated at the memorial service, on Friday, May 19, at the Bat Centre in Durban, at 12pm.
The second memorial service will take place at the Joburg Theatre, on May 30, on what would have been Manzini’s 51st birthday.
Manzini was known for his exceptional skill as a bass player. In 1985, his father, who was living in Cape Town, decided to bring him to the city for high school and university studies.
It was later, in his high school days, that he first picked up the guitar just as a hobby, but was hooked to it ever since.
After graduating with a bachelor of music degree, Manzini spent three years as a part-time lecturer at UCT, instructing electric and acoustic bassists, jazz theory and improvisation.
He worked as a session musician around the country with musicians such as Rene MacLean, Winston “Mankunku” Ngozi, Vusi Khumalo, Jimmy Dludlu, Jonathan Butler, Gavin Minter, Nhlanhla Magagula, Kevin Gibson, Mark Goliath, Judith Sephuma, Sipho Mabuse, Elvin Dyers, Menyatso Mathole, Selaelo Selota, Joe McBride and the UCT Jazz Orchestra.
Manzini’s style and sound was honed by the multi-faceted Cape Flats music scene, mostly the townships of Gugulethu, Langa, Athlone, Mitchell’s Plain and Khayelitsha.
Manzini played the bass as a lead instrument, pioneering in the footsteps of Sipho Gumede, Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and John Patitucci. He was also well-versed in the acoustic or double bass.