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Who was Todd Matshikiza? Google Doodle celebrates South African jazz musician
The accomplished composer temporarily relocated to England in 1960 to seek refuge from the ongoing Apartheid era in South Africa.
Today's vibrant Google Doodle pays tribute to the South African icon Todd Matshikiza, celebrating the extraordinary legacy of his life. South African artist Keith Vlahakis created this artwork to honor the maestro's magnum opus, the orchestral rendition of the cantata "Uxolo" (which translates to "peace") performed at the Johannesburg Festival on September 25, 1956.
But who was Matshikiza?
But who was Todd Matshikiza?
Todd Matshikiza was a South African pianist, composer, and journalist. He was born on March 7, 1921, into a musical family in Queenstown, South Africa.
His father, a talented organist, imparted piano-playing skills to Matshikiza and his six siblings, while his mother was a vocalist.
Matshikiza earned a music and teaching diploma from St. Peter’s College in Johannesburg. Following his graduation, he dedicated his spare time to composing choral pieces and songs like 'Hamba Kahle,' all while working as a math and English teacher.
Finally, in 1947, the maestro succeeded in establishing the Todd Matshikiza School Of Music, a private institution primarily focused on piano and jazz music instruction.
However, as this venture did not provide a consistent income, he also worked as a bookkeeper and salesman to make ends meet.
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In addition to his teaching and other jobs, Matshikiza became one of the initial contributors to the Drum music magazine. He authored two popular columns—one highlighting the evolution of jazz music and the other delving into township life.
Among his many accomplishments in his career, Matshikiza is most renowned for his musical compositions, notably the song 'Quick in Love,' featured in the film 'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,' as well as his contributions to musicals such as 'Mkhumbane' and 'King King.'
Brief life in England
In 1960, Matshikiza briefly relocated to England as a means to escape the persisting Apartheid regime in South Africa, an experience he candidly recounted in his autobiography, "Chocolates for My Wife."
London appeared to be the most promising destination at the time, given the success of his musical, "King Kong," which depicted the life of the renowned heavyweight boxer Ezekiel Dlamini, known as King Kong, and enjoyed a successful run at the West End in 1961.
However, his stint in England did not yield the desired results. Matshikiza faced challenges establishing himself in the local music scene. Subsequently.
He decided to relocate to Zambia, where he found employment at the Zambian Information Service as a music archivist, a role he held until his passing in 1968.
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