After decades spent in economics, activism, and organisational leadership, Miriam Altman has released her debut jazz album The Butterfly Project. The album marks an unexpected return to a part of herself she thought she had left decades ago. Altman started her musical life in classical music, opera, and musical theatre while growing up in Montreal, Canada. However, at around age 21, she stopped due to various reasons, including the loss of her teacher.
Altman's musical journey resumed after the loss of her parents, the end of her marriage, and a big move from Johannesburg to Cape Town. She decided to heed the call of music and explore what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. The eight-track album starts with The Train, a song with a distinctly South African baseline composed by Sello Ernest Twala. Other notable musicians, including Princess of Africa Yvonne Machaka and Seredeal "Shaggy" Scheepers, contributed to the album.
The story of how Butterfly came about was serendipitous. Altman was originally going to call the album Finding My Voice, but after finding black caterpillars all over the wall of her new house in Cape Town, she changed her mind. The caterpillars inspired her to explore the theme of transformation and renewal. The album moves through darkness towards renewal and transformation, with the butterfly serving as a metaphor for the uncomfortable process of becoming.
Altman has upcoming performances in Johannesburg and Cape Town, starting with a show at Wits Theatre Complex on Saturday, 10 October. She aims to create an experience with its own emotional arc, using transitions, lighting, sound, and audience participation to move people through the story. Her experience as a coloratura soprano has taught her that music is physical and spiritual, and she wants to ensure that her performances evoke a similar reaction.
The Butterfly Project features a collection of talented musicians, including Luyanda Madope, who worked as a co-producer on the album. Altman's decision to collaborate with others was intentional, as she wanted the album to feel like a project rather than a solo endeavour. The album's themes of transformation and renewal are reflected in Altman's own journey, as she navigates this new chapter in her life.
Altman's background in economics, activism, and organisational leadership has equipped her with a unique perspective on the world. Her album is not about abandoning the parts of herself she spent years building, but about allowing those parts to sit alongside something less controllable. Jazz gives her permission to meet that person without having all the answers, and at this stage of her life, perhaps that is the most radical thing she could have done.
The Butterfly Project is ultimately a story about self-discovery and growth. Altman's decision to become a beginner again and explore her musical side is a testament to her courage and willingness to take risks. As she embarks on this new chapter in her life, Altman's album serves as a reminder that it's never too late to explore new passions and discover new aspects of oneself.
Key points
- Miriam Altman releases debut jazz album The Butterfly Project
- The album explores themes of transformation and renewal
- Altman has upcoming performances in Johannesburg and Cape Town
