Born in East London, South Africa, Lwanda Gogwana is a renowned musicologist, composer & recording artist and specializes in the therapeutic uses of music training & development programs. After a rich foundation in music education from primary to high school, he went on to further his studies in Cape Town at the University of Cape Town (UCT) where he obtained his Bachelor of Music degree majoring in music composing. During his time at UCT, he received a scholarship to broaden his studies as a composer in Norway, Europe on an exchange program at the University of Oslo’s prestigious music faculty, Norges Musikkhogskole. On his return to South Africa to complete his studies,
Gogwana registered for an honours degree in African Musicology and later a Master’s Degree in South African jazz theory.
His studies in music composition led him to a commission from London UK based record label, Brownswood Records to develop a song in the South African jazz style, reflecting the contemporary South African social landscape. The project was commercially released as a compilation album of leading South African composers in 2021. In 2017 he was part of a team of music directors that re-adapted the musical scores of legendary
historic composer & pianist, Todd Matshikiza to a contemporary format of the classic jazz opera of the 1950s. He was also featured in the trumpet seat of music icon, Hugh Masekela during the premier seasons of the return of this opera in Cape Town & Johannesburg.
Gogwana’s passion for music education and development has landed him countless roles as facilitator and co ordinator in music development workshops and programmes. In December 2018 he was selected to be a part of the organizing committee and facilitator of the South African Jazz and Health Alliance(SAJHA) youth jazz camp aimed at raising awareness of physical & mental health issues affecting the music and entertainment industries.
He formed part of the International Jazz Day 2020 Programme, KayaFM tuition program, including the 2021 Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Festival discussing the theoretical building blocks of South African jazz music.
In 2021 Gogwana was appointed as facilitator at Retshepeng Holdings and was assigned to SERITI mining’s Vaal branch in which he designed a training program that incorporated music to assist in the internalising of the institution’s values for junior & senior employees, including external stakeholders.
As a performing artist, Gogwana has collaborated with globally renowned artists, the list includes; American jazz legend, Donald Harrison, Freshlyground, Mafikizolo, Sibongile Khumalo, Ray Phiri, Freshlyground, Thandiswa Mazwai, LIRA, Jimmy Dludlu, Jonas Gwangwa, Tete Mbambisa, Simphiwe Dana, McCoy Mrubata.
2 studio albums have been recorded and released under his name, his debut was released in 2011, “Lwanda Gogwana – Songbook Chapter 1” which earned him three 2012 South African Music Awards (SAMA) nominations for Best Male Artist, Best Newcomer as well as best Jazz Artist. In 2016, his sophomore album, Uhadi Synth was released.