(Wake Mahlobo)
In association with
Concerts SA and Luthuli Museum, iSupport Music Business presents Wake Mahlobo
Live in concert. Mahlobo and his band will visit Luthuli Museum in Groutville
on March 3.
Wake Mahlobo is a
passionate musician (drummer, percussionist and vocalist) from KwaMashu, who
has been in the music industry for over 35 years. He has made his name
nationally and internationally after touring with different bands. Now he has
decided to come back home and plough back his musical skills. Mfanafuthi “Wake”
Mahlobo is a dedicated, determined and persistent young African man who
believes everything possible if you apply your mind and skill to it. He is
passionate about youth development in music & art.
His band consists
of Lebohang Qguwa on keys & vocals, Sandile Dlamini on bass & vocals,
Aristides on lead guitar and Siyabonga Duma on saxophone.
Wake Mahlobo was
born in Durban in KwaMashu in 1964 in a musical creative family. His father was
a tap dancer, pianist and a vocalist and his mother was a great singer and a
dancer. Musicians of different genres were often visiting his home - Sophie
Mgcina, Theo Bophela Dalton Khanyile and James Mbambo. That’s how he was
introduced into music by his late father. He started off as a singer with the
influence of gospel and African music, than years later he switched into
drumming; he was influenced by the late jazz drummer Nelson Magwaza.
In 1982 he was
offered musical instruments by Signe Dlamini to form a band joined by Bongani
Nkwanyana playing lead guitar, Qunta Mbele on keys, Pa Mcanyana on bass guitar
and in 1983 joined by the late Mandla Masuku on reeds. The band name was Stax.
While with Stax they developed and introduced many young stars then like-Khanyo
Maphumulo, Eugene Mthethwa of the group (Trompies) Sipho Mbhele (Vision) Debora
Fraser and we influenced many more young stars, like Bernard Mndaweni and
Thulani Shezi.
Stax performed for
young and old audience around KZN, their tight blending of instruments helped
them to win a number of Battle of the bands locally and national including the
Lion Laager music competition held at the Market Theatre in 1984. After this
competition they earned a new name Stax 12000.
In 1986 he moved to
JHB looking for more opportunities and he met up with Godfrey Nzuza to form a
band called Casino joined by Bongani Nkwanyana. The band Casino recorded three
albums. The band was signed under Mike Fuller music label, introducing Mercy
Phakela, Ali Cat, and Mr. Chaklas; In 1989 he joined a theatre production with
the Committed Artist introducing Sarafina
and Township Fever touring America,
New Zealand and Australia.
In 1992 early
coming back from tour he was approached by Darius Brubeck (University of Natal)
to form a Jazz Music Project with the late Zim Nqawane (saxophonist)
introducing – Andile Yenana (piano) Concord Nkabinde on bass and Dumisani
Shange on lead guitar, this outfit was formed to perform for the group of donors
from abroad who were visiting the Jazz Centre and also perform to demonstrate
in jazz programmes around the University of Natal. He was able to work with
different musicians around South Africa and neighbouring countries like Ghana
and Zimbabwe.
This performance at
The Luthuli Museum is part of the Concerts SA Venue Circuit which aims to
foster a love and support for live music in our communities, as well as anchor
small and medium sized venues in urban and rural Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and
the Western Cape.
Concerts SA is a
joint South African/Norwegian live music development project housed within the
SAMRO Foundation. Concerts SA receives financial, administrative and technical
support from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, SAMRO, the SAMRO
Foundation and Concerts Norway.
Wake Mahlobo performs
at 18h00 on March 3 at the Luthuli Museum, 3233 Nokukhanya Luthuli Street,
Groutville. Tickets R30 at the door
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