The saxophone’s sound is generally described by musical experts as powerful, yet mellow.
The uniqueness of this instrument inspired Lloyd Thoabala, who now reverberates the same mellow sound wherever he performs.
Choosing to play the saxophone from a young age was guided by listening to various artists in his parents’ music collection.
One of these was Thoabala’s great inspirer, internationally acclaimed David Stephen Koz, an American saxophonist, composer, record producer and radio personality.
Listening to Koz’s music reverberating through his parents’ house proved the turning point for the talented saxophonist.
“My parents loved saxophonist Koz, so I guess the sound of the sax grew in me. Koz distinguished himself with a very sweet mellow sound, and his music is very inspirational,” says Thoabala.
He proved his talent when performing with the Youth Ablaze gospel group at the Mangaung Gospel Festival.
The Thaba Nchu-based group livened up the event with an inspirational performance.
Thoabala’s melody sound surely resonates with gospel lovers who attended at the Kaizer Sebothelo Stadium in Botshabelo.
“That gospel festival was the biggest stage. My wish is to perform abroad.”
Locally he performs with Youth Ablaze and the Baagisane Afro Jazz band.
He is often approached to perform due to his versatile ability to blend gospel and jazz genres.
“I have always loved music, as long as I can remember,” says Thoabala.
“I have always worked hard in my effort to provide quality sound to the crowd, and I will forever work hard.”
Thoabala’s journey in music started at church in his hometown of Kutlwanong, Odendaalrus.
“I started performing at church with a brass band, at the age of eight. So, besides jazz, gospel music has always been part of me.
“I sang for my school choir.
“I am the only one in the family involved in music, but my family enjoys my performances.”
Realising his deep love for music, and particularly the saxophone, he says his late mother, Makgotso Thoabala, purchased his first saxophone.
He is grateful to his mother for her support.
He continued to live his dream to become a fully-fledged saxophonist and his qualifications in music include grade 6 saxophone playing (practical) and grade 3 music theory.
After completing matric, he started attending classes at the Free State Musicon in Bloemfontein.
“I later left the Musicon to continue at Hugo Lambrechts in Cape Town, where got accredited.
“I then came back to the Free State to continue my music journey – because I’m a Free Stater,” says Thoabala.
