Sephuma is also doing a documentary with her husband, photographer Siphiwe Mhlambi, which will reveal how they take small steps to ensure that their marriage works
JAZZ singer Judith Sephuma is known for her reputation of carefully choosing which media interviews to give. So you can just imagine my shock when the successful singer agreed to meet me face-to-face for an interview.
Sephuma had returned from Swaziland after performing there the previous night.
When we met, she did not at all show any signs of exhaustion and I was surprised by her friendliness and girly giggles in between our chat.
She was even giving me "the look" when we agreed on something.
Sephuma looks trim for someone who gave birth to a baby boy only a few months earlier.
She attributes her weight loss to a rigorous gym routine.
The University of Cape Town BA Honours in Jazz Performance graduate says this has been a good year for her career.
"It has been ten years since I started singing professionally and I have come a long way. A Legacy Live in Concert DVD has also been well received since its release in September," she says.
She credits the good quality of music direction on the DVD to jazz maestro Themba Mkhize.
She is also proud that she used a 26-piece ensemble.
Sephuma says this was not her first attempt at releasing a DVD. She recorded one for A Cry, A Smile, A Dance, but she was not happy with the quality and so she decided to shelve it.
"I am a perfectionist and a visionary. I do not make music for the present, but consider the future and the global appeal," Sephuma says.
The singer is known and loved for her melodic voice and her signature style of singing in her Sepedi mother tongue and throwing in that element of surprise for her live performances.
Sephuma says she is lucky because even though she does not release a new album every year, her music is timeless and therefore she can afford to take a four-year break if she wants to.
"For me, the success of every album depends on my creativity, hence I do not want to pressurise myself into releasing a CD every year.
"Creativity cannot be forced and it is a process that has to take its course, no matter how long it takes," she says.
Another new territory that Sephuma has ventured into and is excited about is collaborating with other musicians on their albums.
"I have always wanted to collaborate with other artists, but due to the protocol of my record company, I could not do so until recently.
"I am delighted to have collaborated with DJ Pepsi on Missing You and Indoda Emnyama and I also worked with Kabomo on his song Tricky Thing. I am hoping to work with Brian Temba and Afrotraction, whose real name is Wandile Moya, because I admire their music," she explains.
Sephuma says that her collaboration efforts prove that though her original sound is jazz, she is a versatile artist.
"I plan to release a gospel album next year because gospel is my foundation. It is where I found my voice and discovered my talent. This does not mean I will abandon my signature jazz sound," she says.
Sephuma says she is currently shooting a documentary with her husband, photographer Siphiwe Mhlambi. The documentary will show viewers how the couple have made a success of their careers from humble beginnings.
The documentary will also reveal how they take small steps to ensure that their marriage works, how they deal with challenges and how they keep the family unit together.
"My husband is shooting the documentary and hopefully one of the broadcasters will give us an opportunity to share it with our fans," she says.
She adds that the documentary has been one of their long-term projects and filming has been taking place over the past few years.
Sephuma attributes the smooth running of her home to her three helpers and a strong support system of family and friends.
Despite a hectic performing schedule, Sephuma says she easily fulfils her duties as a wife, mother, daughter, friend and businesswoman.
"My motto is that God does not give you the blessings without also giving you the grace to handle them," she says.
Her calendar for the festive season looks busy with many upcoming festivals, but she is excited about going on stage.
- Catch Judith Sephuma live at the State Theatre in Pretoria tomorrow at 7pm for A Legacy Live In Concert Show.
BITS AND PIECES FROM A LIFE WELL LIVED BY A WOMAN WELL-GROUNDED
My first paying gig was in Polokwane in the 1980s. I was paid R5. The second one was in Cape Town and I got R20, which was a lot of money back then.
The first article written about me as a musician was by Sandile Memela in 1990 for Sowetan when I first arrived in Johannesburg. He had seen me perform at Kippies a few times and he thought I was great and that people needed to know that.
My first professional studio session was doing jingles for advertising agencies in Cape Town while I was still studying. By the time I went into a studio to record an album, I was a professional. I even bought my first car for cash with the money I made from making those jingles.
The first time I heard my song on radio was on Kaya FM and played by KG Moeketsi. At the time I was suffering from post-natal depression and hearing that song and people commenting on it made me want to get well and enjoy life. I was at Sony Music, then BMG, and I wept like a baby when I heard people calling in. The funny thing is, they thought I was from America. I then cried and smiled even more. These are all great memories.
My first public affection from my fans was actually from my home town of Seshego in Limpopo when I released my debut album, A Cry, A Smile, A Dance. My whole community was so happy for me and the love they showed me was overwhelming.
- motaud@sowetan.co.za
Judith turns to Gospel
Sephuma is also doing a documentary with her husband, photographer Siphiwe Mhlambi, which will reveal how they take small steps to ensure that their marriage works
JAZZ singer Judith Sephuma is known for her reputation of carefully choosing which media interviews to give. So you can just imagine my shock when the successful singer agreed to meet me face-to-face for an interview.
Sephuma had returned from Swaziland after performing there the previous night.
When we met, she did not at all show any signs of exhaustion and I was surprised by her friendliness and girly giggles in between our chat.
She was even giving me "the look" when we agreed on something.
Sephuma looks trim for someone who gave birth to a baby boy only a few months earlier.
She attributes her weight loss to a rigorous gym routine.
The University of Cape Town BA Honours in Jazz Performance graduate says this has been a good year for her career.
"It has been ten years since I started singing professionally and I have come a long way. A Legacy Live in Concert DVD has also been well received since its release in September," she says.
She credits the good quality of music direction on the DVD to jazz maestro Themba Mkhize.
She is also proud that she used a 26-piece ensemble.
Sephuma says this was not her first attempt at releasing a DVD. She recorded one for A Cry, A Smile, A Dance, but she was not happy with the quality and so she decided to shelve it.
"I am a perfectionist and a visionary. I do not make music for the present, but consider the future and the global appeal," Sephuma says.
The singer is known and loved for her melodic voice and her signature style of singing in her Sepedi mother tongue and throwing in that element of surprise for her live performances.
Sephuma says she is lucky because even though she does not release a new album every year, her music is timeless and therefore she can afford to take a four-year break if she wants to.
"For me, the success of every album depends on my creativity, hence I do not want to pressurise myself into releasing a CD every year.
"Creativity cannot be forced and it is a process that has to take its course, no matter how long it takes," she says.
Another new territory that Sephuma has ventured into and is excited about is collaborating with other musicians on their albums.
"I have always wanted to collaborate with other artists, but due to the protocol of my record company, I could not do so until recently.
"I am delighted to have collaborated with DJ Pepsi on Missing You and Indoda Emnyama and I also worked with Kabomo on his song Tricky Thing. I am hoping to work with Brian Temba and Afrotraction, whose real name is Wandile Moya, because I admire their music," she explains.
Sephuma says that her collaboration efforts prove that though her original sound is jazz, she is a versatile artist.
"I plan to release a gospel album next year because gospel is my foundation. It is where I found my voice and discovered my talent. This does not mean I will abandon my signature jazz sound," she says.
Sephuma says she is currently shooting a documentary with her husband, photographer Siphiwe Mhlambi. The documentary will show viewers how the couple have made a success of their careers from humble beginnings.
The documentary will also reveal how they take small steps to ensure that their marriage works, how they deal with challenges and how they keep the family unit together.
"My husband is shooting the documentary and hopefully one of the broadcasters will give us an opportunity to share it with our fans," she says.
She adds that the documentary has been one of their long-term projects and filming has been taking place over the past few years.
Sephuma attributes the smooth running of her home to her three helpers and a strong support system of family and friends.
Despite a hectic performing schedule, Sephuma says she easily fulfils her duties as a wife, mother, daughter, friend and businesswoman.
"My motto is that God does not give you the blessings without also giving you the grace to handle them," she says.
Her calendar for the festive season looks busy with many upcoming festivals, but she is excited about going on stage.
BITS AND PIECES FROM A LIFE WELL LIVED BY A WOMAN WELL-GROUNDED
My first paying gig was in Polokwane in the 1980s. I was paid R5. The second one was in Cape Town and I got R20, which was a lot of money back then.
The first article written about me as a musician was by Sandile Memela in 1990 for Sowetan when I first arrived in Johannesburg. He had seen me perform at Kippies a few times and he thought I was great and that people needed to know that.
My first professional studio session was doing jingles for advertising agencies in Cape Town while I was still studying. By the time I went into a studio to record an album, I was a professional. I even bought my first car for cash with the money I made from making those jingles.
The first time I heard my song on radio was on Kaya FM and played by KG Moeketsi. At the time I was suffering from post-natal depression and hearing that song and people commenting on it made me want to get well and enjoy life. I was at Sony Music, then BMG, and I wept like a baby when I heard people calling in. The funny thing is, they thought I was from America. I then cried and smiled even more. These are all great memories.
My first public affection from my fans was actually from my home town of Seshego in Limpopo when I released my debut album, A Cry, A Smile, A Dance. My whole community was so happy for me and the love they showed me was overwhelming.
- motaud@sowetan.co.za
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