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IT’S not easy to imagine Tutu Puoane singing out of tune. But the 36-year-old, who boasts a near-perfect voice thanks to years of “trial and error”, is capable of doing it – only after the audience has left the venue. “It relaxes me, it’s a lot of fun,” she says when asked about her odd habits. Her latest album, “Ilanga”, released late last year, is a powerful offering of musical metaphors that can easily transport you to some kind of Utopia – before you bounce back to the troubles in the land of plenty, to borrow a phrase.

Such is its therapeutic value for the matured who love jazz.

Although most of the songs have been performed by other artistes, it is the Puoane factor that elevates the sound.

The choices of songs that got her nod to be on the album also tell a lot about her musical depth. Nina Simone’s “Images” is beautifully done.

“Way Out”, “Bless Up”, “Motsumi” and the title track “Ilanga” exhort you to appreciate the beauty of the universe – and of course Puoane’s voice. But she says there is no philosophy behind her music.

“I personally don’t like to philosophise about music. For me it’s really very simple; do I feel something when I hear a certain sound, song, music? Is it a good feeling? Do I like it?”

If the answer is yes, chances are that she would like to sing such a song.

She is impressed that I liken her music to Esperanza Spalding, the classy – I won’t say much about her looks for fear of reprisals! – American jazz bassist.

At the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz last year, I saw Puoane make some moves in appreciation of Diane Reeves’s performance. Could she be her role model?

She tells a story of how her friend Marcus Wyatt, a South African musician, once asked her what she actually wanted to be in life.

“The easiest way for me to explain to him what I wanted was to reply, I want to be Dianne Reeves!

“I’ve been a ‘student’ of Reeves since her voice penetrated my entire being when I first heard her from that 1992 Handel’s “Messiah: A Soulful Celebration” album. I was 13. I found her name on that tape cover and went searching for everything she ever recorded.”

In addition to her music endeavours, Puoane wants to launch a project that could make her an ambassador of South Africa in the land of her in-laws, Belgium.

“I really would love to have a space in Antwerp or Brussels where you can find beautiful things made by South African designers, artists, musicians; some sort of a lifestyle shop filled with everything South African.”

She’s searching for funds for the project. — Sowetan.