Kesivan
I’m Kesivan Naidoo, a South African jazz drummer, composer and bandleader based in Basel, Switzerland. I received the 2009 Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Jazz and have performed at Carnegie Hall and on stages across Africa and Europe. With Kesivan and The Lights, I bring South African jazz into conversation with bold arrangements and open improvisation. Our 2026 album, We Dance at Home, draws on family memories while reimagining music by artists from Nirvana to Radiohead. I also lead The Kesivan amaBigBand Experience, a 26-piece orchestra bringing together jazz and contemporary South African voices. Beyond performing, I’m developing Time with the Masters, a book and documentary honouring the musicians who shaped my path. I believe music can connect people across generations and cultures.