Moreira Chonguica
He does what all of us dream of doing, yet few of us actually achieve: He lives his dream life every single day. Saxophonist, ethnomusicologist and life enthusiast, Moreira Chonguica understands the world from a different perspective.
“Writing songs, producing and playing music is what I do on a daily basis; it is what I have always wanted to do,” says Chonguica. However, he was not always so dedicated. At the age of seven, he often bunked his music lessons. “But I eventually went back to the lessons with a more serious mindset, and now it comes naturally and it is very easy because my work is my hobby.”
Chonguica’s music is shaped by the people he meets, the art and movies he sees, the trends in style, images on the street and the music that captures his imagination. He is a traveller and researcher by nature, and studies music within social contexts. This means that he goes beyond the mere enjoyment of good rhythm or the intricacy of a melody to what he refers to as ethnomusicology.
Wherever he goes, Chonguica always keeps an ear open to the ways in which music is integrated in different cultures. “As an ethnomusicologist, I am fascinated by the relationship between cultures and music, and the significance of music in these cultures. I respect how cultures use music in their daily environments as a means of communication.”
As an example, he mentions the Cape Minstrels, who have brought music, colour and festivity to the streets of Cape Town for over a century. The role of the Cape Minstrels and their unique music evolved from the Cape’s early days of slavery. The slaves were only given one day off a year, so they celebrated with music and dancing in the streets. “Of course, this shaped a part of the Cape culture today.”
It was Chonguica’s upbringing that gave direction to his career. He grew up in Maputo listening to his father playing guitar, accompanied by his uncle on the double bass, and the sounds of their favourite musicians like Fela Kuti, Hugh Masekela, Pable Milanes and Miles Davis. In 1997, he moved to South Africa and went on to study Jazz Performance and Ethnomusicology at the University of Cape Town.
Studying was not something he left behind in the lecture halls, however. Chonguica makes a point of exploring and researching music wherever he goes. “I talk to the people on the ground. I listen to what they have to say. I talk to them about their traditional instruments. We share information about music and culture and then and only then… if they are happy to allow me, I record some samples.” This is the impact of being a keen ethnomusicologist. To this he adds: “There was a natural progression toward this, as my culture is Chopi and I explored the north of Mozambique and the music and people of Nampula and Pemba.”
From Brazil to Zanzibar, Chonguica seeks out and incorporates the styles, techniques, instruments, musicians and influences of diverse cultures to create a contemporary fusion of jazz in a way that master chefs make culinary art out of exotic ingredients. He is also not afraid to throw in the inner-city beats of hip-hop if it happens to weave into his musical writing.
He has produced songs for more than 15 albums, but it is on stage that Chonguica truly comes alive. He loves connecting with his audiences, meeting people as he travels and experiencing new places. “I did a show last year in Maputo at the railway station, where we had an audience of nearly 3,000 people. We played solidly for three hours without a break. We were in such a zone that we didn’t even realise the time,” he recalls.
Such talented and daring experimentation has earned him several SAMAs, including ones for “Best Contemporary Jazz” and “Best Producer”, as well as numerous invitations to perform at jazz festivals around the world. And while Chonguica grapples with the uncertainty of the next big break and the nature of the music industry, he knows that his passion has a place in the world. “Music is a place where people can get lost and escape in the magic of sound, art or performance; or for a short while be captivated in the moment. It gives audiences an opportunity to be exposed to other viewpoints and other cultures without feeling threatened,” he says.
Yet he is also quick to add that the appreciation for such a luxury is perhaps lacking across local audiences. He cautions: “Music and culture is an extremely powerful medium. Often some of the poorest nations have some of the richest cultural heritage. Culture of all forms draws people together. Music, art and dance unify audiences from all walks of life. South Africa needs to pay more attention to its cultural heritage. And we are losing ground badly.”
Despite (or perhaps because of) this, Chonguica keeps living his dream, taking with him the lessons of different cultures and customs. “I have learnt that above all, one needs to be respectful of all cultures. It is humbling to realise that even pop music and contemporary rock all have their roots in something traditional.”
Story by Bronwyn Burns
