Natalie Rungan’s jazzy Ghana collaborations
DURBAN jazz songbird Natalie Rungan made music in Accra recently, collaborating with two Ghanaian musicians in their homeland, which gave her the opportunity to “immerse” herself in the country’s “rich and evolving” jazz scene.
Rungan said the experience was “inspiring and deeply fulfilling” and she got to reconnect and make music with a long-time friend.
Her bond with Bernard Ayisa, a celebrated saxophonist and composer, dated back to the days when they studied jazz together at the University of Natal.
Her interactions with Ayisa enabled her to also tune in with the esteemed Ghana Jazz Collective, and the band’s pianist and composer, Victor Dey Jr.
Taking in the sounds of the GH Jazz Collective is regarded as a boon for music lovers who travel to Accra, the city in which the band was based.
While there, Rungan wrote lyrics and delivered her own fresh perspective to the original jazz jazz compositions of both Ayisa and Dey Jr.
Her collaboration with duo and the band included rehearsals, creative sessions, and a live performance at ‘+233 Jazz Bar & Grill’, one of Accra’s vibrant jazz venues. “The work we developed during my time there will form part of an exciting project that will soon be shared with audiences worldwide,” Rungan promised.
“It was a tremendous honour to represent South African jazz on an international stage.
“I felt an immediate connection with the people and culture of Accra, and the opportunity to immerse myself in Ghana’s rich and evolving jazz scene,” said Rungan who serves as the Director of the Chris Seabrooke Music Centre at Durban High School (DHS).
On stage, she performed some of her original compositions as well as pieces composed by Dey Jr. and Ayisa.
“Working with the GH Jazz Collective to reinterpret and breathe new life into these compositions was an enriching experience. My music is deeply rooted in themes of identity, connection, and cultural storytelling, so sharing this artistic expression with another African country felt incredibly special.”
A standout moment for her was working on Dey Jr’s composition, "She Didn’t Choose Me".
“It is one of the most stunning ballads I have ever heard. When I first heard it in 2017, it haunted me for a week. I felt compelled to write lyrics that would truly capture the song’s emotional depth.”
Rungan didn’t know Dey Jr at the time, but she eventually got more acquainted with him via Ayisa at a previous staging of the KZN Schools Youth Jazz Festival.
Even then Dey Jr’s song still had her mesmerised.
Her Ghana expedition was when she got to add her lyrical touch to “She Didn’t Choose Me”.
When people heard the lyrics for the first time, their reaction was overwhelming. it was deeply moving to witness how the words brought a new emotional layer to a piece they had long appreciated as an instrumental.”
Given her music and work commitments, Rungan said effective time management was her recipe for success.
“It requires careful planning, but I see these roles as complementary. My experiences as a performer enrich my teaching, while my work as an educator keeps me connected to the next generation of musicians.”
Rungan appreciated being at a school with a headmaster who values artistic growth, and allowing her to bring real-world industry experience into the classroom and inspire young musicians.
Following her Ghana experience, Rungan is currently working on an album featuring collaborations with Dey Jr and Professor Maghesen Naidoo, set for release in both South Africa and Ghana in early 2026.
“This project is particularly meaningful because it blends our unique jazz influences while celebrating the power of long-standing musical friendships.
Rungan said she was also preparing for the upcoming performances at the KZN Schools Jazz Festival 2025, a platform for young musicians to develop and showcase their talents. Dey Jr will be joining the action as the featured artist and leader of the KZN Schools Jazz Band.
DAILY NEWS