Bheki Mseleku Profile and Discography | African Music Library

Go Back

Bheki Mseleku

First Name:

Other Names:

Last Name:

Stage Name:

Country:

Born:

D.O.D:

Primary Language:

Other Languages:

Participations

1

Synthesist

1

Pianist

1

Saxophonist

Bio

Bheki Mseleku was a South African jazz pianist and composer known for blending traditional South African rhythms with modern jazz harmonies. He was introduced to jazz by his father. After becoming involved in the anti-apartheid movement, he was forced to leave South Africa and settled in London where he became a sought-after musician. Mseleku released several highly acclaimed albums, including "Timelessness" and "Beauty of Sunrise," before passing away at the age of 53. He's remembered as one of South Africa's greatest jazz musicians.

Discography

Albums⁶

African Jazz Classics

African Jazz Classics2009 • albumTracks: 12

Home at last

Home at last2003 • albumTracks: 12

Beauty of Sunrise

Beauty of Sunrise1997 • albumTracks: 9

Star Seeding1995 • albumTracks: 10

Timelessness

Timelessness1993 • albumTracks: 9

Celebration

Celebration1992 • albumTracks: 10

EPs¹

Meditations

Meditations1992 • epTracks: 2

Label

Record Label associated with Bheki Mseleku - past and current.

Similar Artists

Ndabo Zulu

South Africa |1920| English

Ndabo Zulu is an award winning South African musician, trumpeter, composer, arranger, and studio freelancer, currently based in Norway. His musical journey began at the age of 9 when he started taking lessons at The Field Band Foundation, initially playing steel drums and African marimbas. Later, he transitioned to the trumpet and joined Siyakhula Music Centre. Zulu's exposure to symphonic music at the KZN Youth Wind Band sparked his love for jazz. In 2009, he pursued a Diploma in Jazz/Pop Music and later became a trumpet tutor at the Durban Music School and Field Band Foundation. Zulu earned his Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Performance in 2017 and a master's degree from the Norwegian Music Academy. He has played, recorded, and toured extensively with esteemed artists.

Mokhtar Samba

Morocco |1960| French

Mokhtar Samba is a drummer and percussionist of Moroccan and Senegalese origin who has performed with some of the world's most renowned musicians, including Jaco Pastorius, Carlos Santana, and Youssou N'Dour. He's known for his innovative sonorities and mixing, combining western harmonies with African rhythms and Bedouin tunes. His music draws inspiration from his experiences with Salif Keita, Kante Manfila, Ousmane Kouyaté, and Cheikh Tidiane. Mokhtar's sensational solo album, Dounia, features collaborations with outstanding musicians like Woz Kaly, N'Doumbé Djengué, and Jean-Philippe Rykiel.

Hervé Samb

Senegal |1979| French

Hervé Samb, also known as Hervé Sambe, is a virtuoso guitarist, composer, and respected producer born in Senegal. His musical journey started at age 9, driven by a fascination with the rhythms of Senegalese heritage and African-American culture. He gained recognition with the Herve Samb Quintet and collaborated with artists like Marcus Miller. Known for his "Jazz Sabar" style, blending traditional Senegalese rhythms with contemporary jazz, Hervé released acclaimed albums and reaffirmed his artistic identity with "JOLOF" in 2023, promoting values of openness, cultural diversity, and gratitude through his music.

Karim Ziad

Algeria |1966| Arabic

Karim Ziad is a talented Algerian musician percussionist, drummer, singer, and composer. His unique style fuses North African music's richness with soulful jazz sounds. Starting in Algiers with a hard rock band, Ziad later pursued biology studies in Paris, where he immersed himself in the vibrant jazz scene. His exceptional jazz drumming caught the attention of renowned artists like Cheb Mami, Khaled, and Idir, leading to collaborations with other notable musicians. A trailblazer in contemporary jazz and North African music, Ziad's innovative compositions resonate worldwide, leaving a lasting impact on the global music community, inspiring artists and enthusiasts alike.

Lionel Loueke

Benin |1973| French

Lionel Loueke is a guitarist and vocalist from the Republic of Benin. He started out learning percussion instruments when he was 9 years old, before picking up the guitar at age 17. Over the course of his career, Loueke has studied at various prestigious musical institutions and worked with various musicians from around the world. In 2008, he released his major-label debut album, "Blue Note. And ever since, he's gone on to work on and releases over 30 albums.