Kesivan Naidoo's 'Love Letter to South African Jazz' at the freedom in sound tour
Kesivan Naidoo and The Lights are celebrating South African jazz and the legacy of democracy in their final concert of the 'Freedom in Sound' tour at the Baxter.
Image: Supplied
Kesivan Naidoo is a man of precision - whether in the kitchen or behind the drum kit, every note and every ingredient is carefully considered.
I recently caught up with him before he headed to South Africa, as he's cooking dinner in his Basel home: salmon trout baked to perfection, accompanied by fancy potatoes and a beurre blanc sauce.
'I'm a nerd,' he laughs, explaining how he follows recipes with the same meticulous attention he applies to his music.
His love for cooking, much like his passion for jazz, is deeply rooted in discipline, craftsmanship, and an appreciation for the greats - Escoffier in the kitchen, the jazz masters in his music.
Naidoo, now based in Switzerland, usually makes the journey home to South Africa only once a year, but he's looking to change that.
This year's return is particularly special. Not only has he debuted a brand-new work at the Journey to Jazz festival in Prince Albert earlier this month, he has taken the Lights and the 'Freedom in Sound' tour across the country and has also started recording a new album. This marks the third album for his celebrated band.
The 2025 Lights' set carries a particularly profound weight. As part of this tour performance, Naidoo unveiled an extraordinary piece that seamlessly fuses history with music.
The production even features Nelson Mandela's original freedom speech, woven into the composition, a powerful tribute that essentially puts 'Mandela on vocals' - a stirring reminder of how history and music can echo through one another.
There's also a deeply personal composition built on a chord progression entrusted to him by the late Bheki Mseleku more than two decades ago.
'This is my love letter to South African jazz,' Naidoo says. 'To its legends, its future, and its spirit. 'Jazz is not just a music genre for South Africans, it's a lifestyle.'
Kesivan Naidoo, a Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year, and internationally acclaimed drummer, composer, and bandleader now based in Basel, is joined by a remarkable ensemble. Picture: Louis Botha for PACT
Image: Louis Botha for PACT
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