West Nkosi

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

West Nkosi (* 1940 in Nelspruit , South Africa as Johannes Hlongwane , † 8. October 1998 ) was a South African saxophonist of township jazz , music producer and songwriter . He played a decisive role in the transition from kwela music to mbaqanga .

Live and act

Nkosi went to Pretoria as a youth , where he played penny whistle with the Pretoria Power Boys , an early kwela band. In 1956 he moved to Johannesburg , where he worked briefly in the ensemble of Spokes Mashiyane . He switched to the alto saxophone and soon after became a studio musician for Gallo Records. Since the 1960s he has also recorded under his own name; Nick Moyake temporarily played in his group. From the studio ensemble he formed the Makgona Tsohle Band , which accompanied The Mahotella Queens and later Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens (until 1991), but also made his own recordings. His composition 2 Mabone became a hit in South Africa in the 1970s.

At this time Nkosi was already the producer of the Gallo sub-label Mavuthela Music , for which he built up the Ladysmith Black Mambazo choir and designed its sound significantly; the choir's 22 albums produced by him all achieved gold status in South Africa. He was also involved in Paul Simon's Grazeland tour. In the 1990s he produced Phuzekemisi and Joe Mifela, but recorded another album under his own name, which received international critical acclaim. He died as a result of a car accident.

Discographic notes

  • Rhythm of Healing: Supreme Sax and Penny Whistle Township Jive (1992)
  • Sixteen Original Sax Jive Hits. Vol 1
  • Sixteen Original Jive Hits. Vol 2

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Obituary in the New York Times , October 13, 1998
personal data
SURNAME Nkosi, west
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Hlongwane, Johannes (real name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION South African jazz musician
DATE OF BIRTH 1940
PLACE OF BIRTH Mbombela , South Africa
DATE OF DEATH October 8, 1998