Samkelo Njinji

BIO

Samukelo Siphosenkosi Magwaza, famously known as samkelo njinji is a South
African jazz pianist, artist, composer, arranger, songwriter and lecturer based in
Kwazulu natal, city of Durban in the township of Umlazi. His love for jazz began
at a tender age as his late father used to play old jazz vynal record's nearly
everyday, however his the first one in the family to actually play an instrument
and furthermore, persue a career in music. Both his parents and siblings were
supportive of his endeavour.
He first learnt the keyboard at church at the age of 12. He later joined a school
choir and led an iscathamiya group. In 2015 he than studied jazz piano
professionally at umlazi comtech being taught by Mr Xolani Hlongwani, and
later went to the BAT center, Gamalakhe college where is was lecturered by the
great Andile yenana, Durban music school under the mentorship of Sibusiso
mashiloane and central Johannesburg college were he was trained by Maxwell
baloyi, Mr talent khoza and Mr victor mbotho. Now he is blessed to be a lecture
and pass on the knowledge instilled in him to other pupils. In his career he has
shared a stage with Khaya Mahlangu, Salim Washington, Umkhubulwano
Jazz ensemble, and MXO to mention a few.

In 2017 samkelo njinji began composing his own music which is
largely inspired by bheki mseleku, Oscar Peterson, nduduzo
makhatini and Thandi ntuli. He has conceptualised the theme of
his music as njinji street, which is the lane of healing and love.
Samkelo njinji specializes in jazz but he can also interpret other
genres such as gospel, neo soul and many more. He is a
messenger of hope and aims to uplift, inspire, heal and love
through his music and his concept of njinji street. He shared his
music on stages and places like world sound concert, Umlazi jazz
festival, the playhouse company, Rhumbelow theatre, Joburg
theatre and he plans to travel the world injecting peace through his music.