Music Profile: Vuyo Tyolo and Putuma Tiso - Two of a special kind

Written by Sam Mathe
Thursday, 02 June 2011 11:03

In recent years the Eastern Cape has consistently taken centre stage in the country’s contemporary-music arena – particularly in the Afro-soul, folk- and jazz-inspired idioms. Names of songbirds such as Suthukazi Arosi, Siphokazi Maraqana, Simphiwe Dana, Phinda Mtya, Camagwini and Zolani Mahola of Freshlyground readily spring to mind. Putuma Tiso – stage name Pu2ma – is the latest singing sensation. Her earthy and refreshing vocal prowess literally transported her to international stages within a short space of time even before she started recording her self-titled debut album, which was released in October last year.

Pu2ma is simply blessed with that unfathomable but unique quality that separates special musicians from ordinary ones. It’s a quality that captivated the great Shirley Caesar when she heard the young South African singing at a concert recently. Steeped in the music of her Xhosa and Sotho heritage, her album is a spiritual and sophisticated interpretation of jazzy and soulful sounds with hints of gospel elements. A world-class offering, it boasts the contributions of established international artists such as guitarist Joep Pelt (the Netherlands), violinist Miro Chakaryan and kora players Moh Dediouf and Edouard Manga – both from Senegal. Sharing the Dinaledi stage with United States veterans of smooth Fourplay, songstress Lallah Hathaway and American-born trumpet virtuoso Chris Boti, Pu2ma astounded music lovers with her classy and sophisticated stage artistry during last year’s Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival. Last year also saw her gigging at JZ Club – the internationally renowned jazz club in Shanghai, China – to critical acclaim.

Pu2ma was destined to sing. Born in KwaZakhele, Port Elizabeth, she was raised by her granny, who encouraged her to sing from a young age. She was an active member of the church choir while her uncle played bass for a local band. Alongside church music she was fond of American soul and R&B – following with keen interest the careers of famous songbirds such as Whitney Houston and Erika Badu.

“But until that time I never imagined myself as a successful, well-known musician,” she recalls. Then, when she was in her early teens, the family took her to rural Transkei, where she was introduced to the music of the Gcaleka people.

“It was during my stay in the Transkei that I heard the music of Busi Mhlongo and Umfazi Omnyama. I was hooked and immediately knew what I wanted to do with my life,” she says.

Back home in Port Elizabeth, she joined a local band, the Fantastics, and walked away with first prize in solo category of the Coca-Cola Music Fullblast talent competition. Around this time her idols included George Benson and Tania Maria.

Then in 2002 she trekked to Johannesburg where she first worked with pastor Benjamin Dube as the gospel pioneer’s backing vocalist. More session work as a backing singer followed after pastor Dube introduced her to established vocalists such as Rebecca Malope, Gloria Bosman, Zama Jobe and Siphokazi Maraqana.

She’s particularly grateful to producer Sipho “Malambule” Sithole of Native Rhythms, the architect of her debut album and an astute producer/songwriter who’s put modern Xhosa music on the international map through talented artists such as Siphokazi.

And while Sithole has been particularly successful with female Xhosa artists, in Vuyi Tyolo, another Eastern Cape-born artist, he has found a male gem. Blessed with an incredibly versatile voice that handles a variety of genres with magical ease, the singer and songwriter – born in Mdantsane, East London – is like Pu2ma, also a child of the church. His father, an avid jazz collector, founded his own house of worship, where young Vuyo played piano in a church choir.

Now a born-again member of the Evangelic Ministries, Tyolo’s debut album, Genesis 1, obviously points to his spiritual and religious upbringing although he prefers to see it as a reference to the first chapter of his journey in music. It is a multi-genre album that reflects his wide music vocabulary that developed thanks to his jazz influence and church upbringing as well as his ethnic roots and exposure to contemporary styles. The opening track, Ngizwile, is classic maskandi while Nobody is a combination of soul, jazz and gospel elements with a strong hint of Eddie Harris’ classic I Don’t Want Nobody. It’s also a song that is heavily laden with emotions.

“My father was a great Eddie Harris fan, and when I was recording my version, the experience transported me back to my childhood,” Tyolo explains.

Another striking parallel with Pu2ma is that his musical journey took off after he started as a backing singer for artists such as Siphokazi, Camagwini and Tuks Senganga. And where Pu2ma stepped out at a talent show, Tyolo auditioned for a role in the internationally acclaimed Lion King musical and came out as a finalist.

“Being from the Eastern Cape, where opportunities are few and far between, I never imagined that music will be a career for me. But as a child I‘d fancied myself as a TV and stage actor – hence my decision to audition for The Lion King. But Sipho Sithole looks for versatility and a performing streak in an artist, and I guess that’s how I managed to impress him.”

Tyolo is also a rapper, lyricist and sound engineer. Kayalami, a song he wrote for fellow musician Siphokazi, enjoys high rotation on Kaya FM.

2010 was a busy year for Tyolo. He took part in the local Standard Bank Joy of Jazz and Arts Alive festivals and tested the international waters at the Mundial Festival  in the Netherlands.

The sublime beauty and magic of both his albums are enhanced by the unparalleled instrumental input of some of the country’s great session artists – notably Tlale Makhene (percussion), Lucas Senyatso (bass), Mandla Zikalala (bass), Rob Watson (drums), Bheki Khoza (guitar), Thabang Tabane (percussion) and pianist Nduduzo Makhathini.

“I’m glad that this album showcases the wonderful talents of some of the cream of South African instrumentalists,” says Tyolo. “For instance, an artist such as Nduduzo Makhathini, who features in most of the songs, is simply amazing. He has soul in his fingers. On the other hand, the reception from the public has been encouraging as it’s literally flying off the shelves. It really makes me feel good that music-lovers out there appreciate my music because I do it for them.”