On the morning of August 27, the legendary South African drummer Makaya Ntshoko passed away in his adopted home of Basel where he had loved for nearly sixty years. Survived by his musical family all over the world and biological failese in Switzerland and Cape Town, he has left a huge gap, particularly in the Swiss SA Jazz Collaboration.  

Makaya Wesley Ntshoko’s journey began in a family of nine musicians and sportsmen. Although growing up as a highly enthusiastic boxer he made his mark as a world-renowned drummer.  Ntshoko would have wished for people to know who educated him, being an educator himself. His main drum teacher is cited to have been Columbus Phakamile “Phaks” Joya while his mentors are believed to have been trumpeter Banzi Bangani and bassist Lami Zokufa.

He teamed up with ‘Dan Boy’ Danayi (alto) and Martin ‘Lilly’ Mgijima and had the opportunity to jam and perform with the influential Ephraim ‘Cups ‘n Saucers’ Nkanuka (tenor) and his Peninsula Stars. In 1959 Makaya and fellow Cape musicians Dollar Brand (piano) and Johnny Gertze (bass) joined Kippie Moeketsi, Hugh Masekela and Jonas Gwangwa to form the Jazz Epistles.

The band recorded the country’s first bebop album, Jazz Epistle (Gallo, 1960). He was part of the King Kong cast that toured England in 1960. In London he held jam sessions with top British saxophonists Tubby Hayes and Ronnie Scott. He returned to South Africa in 1961 determined to prove his mettle in Europe. In 1962 he played at the Castle Lager Jazz Festival in Moroka-Jabavu Stadium, Soweto as a member of the Jazz Giants alongside Tete Mbambisa, Dudu Pukwana and Martin Mgijima.

During the same year King Kong, described at the time as “an all-African jazz opera” toured to the shores of England and Scotland. Members of The Epistles were invited to join the production. Ntshoko leaped at the opportunity and found himself in the UK. He described England thus, “Man, it was beautiful.” 

Once the show had run its course he returned to Cape Town, naturally to a busy schedule which included travels to Dorkay House, gigging around the city as a band member of Peninsula Stars lead by Cups ‘n Saucers Nkanuka.

In Johannesburg he was in high in demand and left an incredible impression on the Jozi crowd. His capabilities were further enhanced as a drummer for Gideon Nxumalo’s Jazz Fantasia at The Wits Great Hall.

Makaya also featured on Gideon Nxumalo’s Jazz Fantasia (1962) with Kippie Moeketsi, Martin Mgijima and Dudu Pukwana. His main drum teacher is cited to have been Columbus Phakamile “Phaks” Joya while his mentors are believed to have been trumpeter Banzi Bangani and bassist Lami Zokufa.

In 1962 he joined Johnny Gertze, Dollar Brand and his wife Sathima Bea Benjamin in Switzerland. They performed as the Dollar Brand Trio at the Atlantis, Basel and Club Africana in Zurich where John Coltrane and Duke Ellington came to see them perform. In 1963 Ellington invited them to Paris for a recording of Duke Ellington Presents the Dollar Brand Trio (Reprise, 1964), an album that paved their way to international recognition. He performed in Germany, Denmark, England, the United States and the Far East with jazz luminaries like Dexter Gordon, Ben Webster, Joe Henderson, Roland Kirk, Pepper Adams, Don Byas, Benny Bailey and fellow South African expatriates Johnny Dyani and Hugh Masekela.

1974 ushered in Makaya Ntshoko as the band leader of The Tsotsis, with Heinz Sauer – tenor saxophone, Isla Eckinger – bass, Bob Degen – piano

His passion for music and collaboration led him to simultaneously continue performing in various European festivals with fellow pioneers such as Dudu Pukwana, John Tchicai, Joe McPhee, Kenny Drew, Pepper Adams, Joe Henderson, Dexter Gordon, Hannibal Marvin Peterson and Johnny Mbizo Dyani.

He performed in Denmark, France, England, yet again, Germany, USA and the far East. 

He performed in Berlin and Copenhagen as a house drummer at Jazz Jamboree and Jazzhouse Montmartre. He played Dollar Brand (Abdullah Ibrahim) and his band meets Tchicai live in Copenhagen 1968. He appears with Ben Webster and his band live in Denmark, Copenhagen 1969. He played with Dexter Gordon and his ensemble performing live in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1971. He enthralled audience at Montreux, Harbour Bridge 1989.

He is quoted by Gwen Ansell as saying “I was very lucky to be in the right place at the right time, especially in Denmark.”

In 1986 following the death of Dyani, Makaya Ntshoko became the mainstay of the Frankfurt project ‘Jazz against Apartheid’, for many years and until almost the end in October 2024. From 1986 onwards he played more than 100 concerts on three continents  together with saxophonist John Tchicai, among others raising awareness for the struggles for equality and human rights. 

Time continued to pass and Makaya Ntshoko kept growing strong, actively gigging (groove clubs), festivals and teaching young musicians at Basel Music Academy.

Ntshoko and The New Tsotsis was then birthed in 2006. Once again, Ntshoko reverted to an ensemble of 4. Himself on drums and Andy Scherrer – tenor saxophone, Stephen Kurmann – bass, Vera Kappeler – piano.

In 2020, The Mzansi Jazz Awards awarded the immensely talented drummer the Lifetime Achievement Award.