The Sunday News
Mthabisi Tshuma, Sunday Life Correspondent
THE inaugural Monday Night Chill Out Instagram sessions proved popular as an euphoric frenzy gripped social media with audiences expressing pleasure on the show.
Hosted on A and R Executive, Israel Sebenzo’s Instagram page by Zimbabwean born gospel musician Samantha Simangaliso who is based in Australia, the first guest of the show was adept and accomplished South African saxophonist Sinethemba Hlengetwa.
Through the conversations, Hlengetwa revealed how he owes his success with the saxophone to his arts school teacher in high school who suggested the instrument for him.
He said, “The saxophone found me when I wasn’t even looking. My brother and I were brilliant in music theory and one awkward day, my theory teacher suggested we try the saxophone and fortunately, I was already used to play the recorder and it was pretty much the same concept.
“It took me 15 minutes to figure out how to play the saxophone and from that day, I never looked back. Today I am the biggest fan of the instrument,” he added whilst acknowledging how commitment and training are important in music.
Hlengetwa also shared how he has been grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic that has not only taken lives but threatened livelihoods as well.
“We are not working as much as we used to before and I have had to think outside the box and find ways to keep me busy and this is why I do the live sessions on social media ,” he said.
Hlengetwa runs Moments with Sinethemba Hlengetwa live on Facebook every Friday and has hosted a number of musicians on the platform. He revealed his plans to also diversify the sessions to include Instagram as another platform.
With Simangaliso preparing for the release of her second single, Higher Ground, on 11 September, the saxophonist promised to do a cover once the song is out.
“I am thinking of working on an album, but I really want to take my time and not rush the process,” Hlengetwa said sharing on his prospects.
@mthabisi_mthire
