Honour Talent, Not Favourites – Gariseb

Veteran pianist Hans Gariseb, nicknamed ‘Jack of all Sounds’, says Nambia’s music industry must honour talent over favouritism.

Born at Kotjokonje, a small farm near Midgard Lodge east of Okahandja, Gariseb’s masterful exploits on the piano have raised eyebrows from near and far.

The variety of artists and bands he has played with would be enough to leave any musician envious.

It is only fitting that Gariseb, who plays from traditional to church pieces, was given the nickname ‘Jack of all Sounds’ by his fellow musicians.

The professional pianist has mastered many genres, including jazz, classic, blues, reggae, rumba, langarm, Damara punch, amapiano, pop, R&B, kwasa kwasa, oviritje and gospel.

“I can’t help that I love music so much,” he says.

“I’ve been exposed to music at a very young age by my older brother and uncles, who loved playing traditional music and the Nama-stap on their acoustic guitars,” he says.

“I understand why they wouldn’t let me touch their guitars, because the sound that came out of those instruments was so mesmerising.

“I would always grab one quickly if they left them unattended, but they always caught me off guard before I could play.”

Gariseb says his elder brother, Kondjee Gariseb, realised his love for the guitar was undeniable, so he decided to teach him how to put a song together.

“He didn’t realise he actually awoke the monster in me, because those brief lessons made me the music lover I am today. My first gig on the guitar playing traditionally was at Mokuti Lodge in front of a large audience of tourists,” he says.

“It also turned out to be my final gig playing the guitar, because my friends laughed at me for playing an ‘old man’s’ instrument. I travelled all the way to Swakopmund, where I went to buy a second-hand keyboard from former M-Connection band member Manneckey Khoe-Aob.”

He says his uncles also played the accordion, “but it looks so complicated and impossible to play”.

Gariseb says his biggest gig was during a Swapo election campaign rally, where he rubbed shoulders with top South African producers and DJ Maphorisa and Master KG.

Veteran musician Black Diamond took him through the ropes to master the keyboard, he says.

The former University of Namibia (Unam) lecturer describes music as a way to express himself freely.

“Music is one of the biggest influencers in the performing arts. It has the magic to capture anyone without asking for their permission. Music has the power to make you happy and educate you, but music can also demoralise people,” the former Ndilimani star says.

‘MUSIC MAKES YOU FALL IN LOVE’

“The lyrics of a song are very powerful – they can make a musician become a powerful ambassador with a powerful and constructive message. Music makes them fall in love, and for others it is water that quenches their soul.”

Gariseb, who holds a diploma in arts and a bachelor’s degree in humanities – both obtained at Unam – also taught German at Delta Primary School in Windhoek.

The musician spent his primary school years at Goreangab at Katutura, while he completed his school career at Okahandja Secondary School.

The versatile musician is currently promoting his 12-song debut album, titled ‘We Are Going Higher’, which features Damara punch, gospel and a bit of amapiano.

The music star has had gigs overseas in Germany and Denmark, and played for Pule and Oteya at the Namibia Annual Music Awards. He also played in the ‘Last Band Standing’ competition at the National Theatre of Namibia Backstage, backing Pule and Imelda.

Gariseb, who has added singing to his repertoire, was one of the headline acts during president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s election campaign and even composed an album for the campaign, singing on most of the songs.

He has played with A-listed Namibian artists like Erna Chimu and Ras Sheehama, while he was also entrusted with the piano by internationally acclaimed stars like Awilo Longomba from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwean superstar Oliver Mtukudzi.

Gariseb believes the country has talented artists who can compete with their counterparts, “but our industry can forget about growth if we honour our musicians based on favouritism and not because of their talent”.

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