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Allen Kwela

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Bio

Allen Kwela was a South African musical Luminary, who excelled as a kwela and jazz guitarist, penny whistler, composer, and bandleader. Raised in Durban, he learned music through ingenuity, fashioning a tin guitar. Initially associated with Spokes Mashiyane in Kwela music, he later ventured into jazz. His 2002 album, "The Broken Strings of Allen Kwela," earned award nominations, solidifying his reputation. Kwela became a revered and legendary figure in South African jazz, celebrated for his profound influence on the genre. His musical journey, from cattle herder to a masterful musician, left an enduring legacy that continues to inspire and shape the world of South African music.

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