Ivan Mazuze

Ivan Mazuze is a composer, award winning saxophonist and world jazz artist of Mozambique origin, presenting world jazz at its best together with his band, the Ivan Mazuze Quintet/Quartet. His music is inspired by African music mixed with modern drumming tradition. Deeply rooted in jazz harmony, and with a rhythm section consisting of electric/acoustic bass, guitar and acoustic piano as pillars, his imcredible saxophone improvisations  over a landscape that moves between jazz and the African urban soundscape. 

The debut 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 Afro 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.

In 2012 Mazuze released the album Ndzuti which means, “shadow” in the ancient language of Xichangana of southern Mozambique. The music 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.

Ndzuti was 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 well as recommended 10 best album of 2012 at the Songlines Magazine.

In 2015 Mazuze released his third album Ubuntu (2015), a highly acclaimed album within the Nordic media critics. The album features Norwegian artists such as Jacob Young, Michael Bloch and southern african based musicians such as Frank Paco, Peter Ndlala and Sifiso Makalisa.

In 2016 the album Ubuntu was chosen to be part of the compilation album JazzCD.no – 7th Edition in Norway. This compilation gives a good picture of the Norwegian jazz scene today, ranging from mainstream to more modern forms, including what has come to be known as the Nordic sound. JazzCD.no – 7th set shows the variety, the versatility and the quality of jazz in Norway as of today.