Bheki Mseleku: Talkin' Jazz

Bheki Mseleku performance at the Royal Festival Hall 1994.
Featuring-:
Michael Bowie, Bass
Marvin "Smitty" Smth , Drums
Kent Jordan, Flute
Joe Henderson, Tenor saxophone

[@izeesh]

The tragic that befell our beloved country, Solomon Linda, Todd and Pat Matshikiza, Tiyo Soga, Enoch Sontonga and Bheki's father William Mseleku. The education that was before apartheid Bantu Education was equal to that of Western nations if not better. If you do a search of African choral music now you will find a litany of music by South African composers of yester year. Bheki was fortunate enough to have had a father who had a degree in Music from the ivy league Cambridge. I guess if you have no clue of the immense contribution this generation had you will never understand the extent to which our country has to go still to repair the damage and regain our rightful position

[@kapajita9]

Wow

[@skimanization]

Although I am from South Africa I have never met him personally but I could hear how he played from records and sometimes from other musicians that he had two fingers damaged but plays like a virtuoso on both piano and saxophone. Later I heard that he left South Africa for England with the daughter (another young pianist) of another South African great African jazz composer and saxophonist Victor Ndlazilwana. Later in the 1990s I heard his jazz records and compositions and realised how great he was on jazz piano!!! This is the first time I hear him speak about himself, spirituality, and jazz music, and I like the way he answered all the questions about how he sees himself as a musician and his relationship to other people and the world. I heard long time ago that he became a follower of Buda but, now I hear from his mouth that he follows all the great names in Spirituality like Jesus, Krishna, etc. I heard how he loved music from a very young age and I laughed at the story I heard that his father during a very cold winter's time, perhaps in the June month in South Africa, smashed into pieces and burned the home piano as wood for warming up the house for the family...and he lost the opportunity to fiddle with Bach and Mozart. Sure he joined in with his ancestors and other great jazz musicians in the spirit world!!! His music legacy will be with us forever, Amen.

[@innercirclemusic1]

Bheki Mseleku, a pianistic master the world has yet to realise the true magnitude of. There's the expression that says a prophet is not without honour except in his own country... But thankfully Mseleku's torch-bearing genius is celebrated in his homeland and he's a hero for a legion of musical creatives and fans in South Africa. We'll be drawing long still from this well.

[@rogercornish7566]

don't overlook the genius /mastery of sir Kent Jordan of de nu Orleans, offspring of sir Kidd Jordan,professor /saxophonist, dag,come on!don't be lazy,DO your research, peace please!

[@LinnetWoods]

Bheki and his family stayed at my place in Little Venice, Maida Vale for a while in 1987 and he told me the story of how his hand got damaged. He said that when he was about eight years old, he and his friends used to make their own little go-karts out of old pram wheels and anything else they could find and then race each other down the trash mounds at the local landfill site. Lots of the boys sustained injuries and he never thought of it as a problem. I had been standing next to him and watching him play the piano for several hours before I even realised! It was a huge privilege to be around Bheki, his wife Nomvula (also a very talented pianist) and two of his beautiful children, Mirabai and Miki for those months and I was so sad to hear that he had died so very young.

[@EugeneSkeef230650]

Linnet Woods Hello, I hope you're well. I have just read your beautiful comment about Bheki and family. I'm doing a sort of personal documentary about my very close friend (My ex-wife Mary and I brought Bheki out of South Africa when we came into exile). I'd love to do a brief interview with you about this period when Bheki and Nomvula stayed with you (I remember this). Would you be interested, and could we do it at your place? I'll be interviewing Nomvula and some of her children in early August. Love and light.

[@sizamnce]

@@EugeneSkeef230650 I hope this interview did finally happen. The gracious lady that posted what you responded is on Facebook. I look forward to the Doccie regarding Bra Mseleku and his music.

[@EugeneSkeef230650]

@@sizamnce - I haven't managed yet to get the interview, though I already have a lot of material towards the doccie. These things take a long time to do properly; but I'm very pleased to say that it's all progressing well. Thanks for your interest and support.

[@sinethembayantolo]

Bheki’s Legacy needs to be preserved at all costs, what a complete Jazz Player. He is a god 🔥

[@bobbyshabangu]

the god , our own Art Tatum, you will always be an inspiration Bheki

[@bonganimchunu1950]

RIP to the legend. So talented yet so underated... love Bhekis music

[@tlawengmophosho4848]

Not underrated in london, he was the dominant player in the 1990s

[@EugeneSkeef230650]

My main man!!!! RIP...

[@Aydee58]

A great musician and Inspiration.

[@izeesh]

God Bless you, You know I live in a place next to Lamontville where Bheki was born but I can tell very few people know who he is and I too am guilty because I only stumble upon his work early 2000's few years back. I never heard him speak, as consequence always wondered how he was and if he was as I imagined him. But luckily you have answered all my questions. Thanks very much

[@EugeneSkeef230650]

You are welcome, my brother Listo. It is not uncommon for great spirits not to be recognised close to home. Bheki was a genius , and I am fortunate to have been so close to him. Love and peace.

[@rogercornish7566]

3:06-3:08,quote, Acknowledgement, a LOVE SUPREME !

[@mavhungutshikovhele3347]

Meditations is all I listen to when I study, Bheki Mseleku will never be forgotten! I wish he was around so I could witness him play the piano!

[@yourmobility1559]

Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson put together equals Bheki Mseleku.

[@scaligula]

Thank you Matsuli Music for making Bheki and other South African jazz available again.

[@royalhartigan]

a great artist and human being. deep music of the heart and spirit. i wish i could have met you, my brother. in spirit always.

[@ithaliem]

Bheki Mseleku is the great unknown of jazz. I have his every album, all great music. What a pitty he died too early.

[@tebogomohale7320]

the genius of all time, the spirit that flourished in circumstances that were diluted against what he stood for but never allowed himself to conform to norms that were against his nature..RIP

[@bruceboome]

How about the perfect intonation when the sax and flute are playing in octaves.

[@buddylove2835]

RIP Bheki, You were certainly one of the Greats. I had the pleasure of meeting and socialising with Bheki many times, including an impromptu performance he gave on his piano. How can I ever forget that, and a bowl of chicken soup he made us. A special thanks to Mr. Skeef for making it all possible.

[@EugeneSkeef230650]

Love and light...

[@margaretmokgadiradebe1376]

I am happy that I lived with such greatness in my life, I met Bheki in the 80,s during my exile years. Bheki Mseleku thought me how to play Jazz drumming, he also thought to be spiritual inclined. I remember I was with one renowned pianist by the name of Michele Petrucini, I told him that I was expecting Bheki Mseleku. He said to me, I have to live. I asked him why, he said, I am afraid of Bheki, I said to him, he won't hurt you. His answer was ; the guy is the best pianist I ever came across. I said he is my colleague, you will meet him in person today. Indeed they met. All is history. I pay my respect to the Legendary pianist of his kind. I hope the creator will one day bless us with pianist like Bheki Mseleku. May his great Soul rest in Peace Love and Peace to him ❤

[@margaretmokgadiradebe1376]

My name is Khulu Radebe ( Drummer)

[@smisongcobo4641]

Potrait,of african jazz music....wow

[@rogercornish7566]

The talent on this piece by MBeki! Peace on earth,a luv supreme !

[@zibumac]

Greatness Indeed

[@thabangsithole7648]

Truly inspired

[@uroko2993]

Is this post-bop style?