WOMAD

Themba Mkhize

From South Africa

2001 biography:Once known as the force behind some of South Africa’s best-loved compositions, Themba Mkhize has certainly come into his own with the release of his latest album, Lost and Found.Since the release of his debut album Tales From the South, Mkhize has raked in numerous awards and accolades, as well as widespread acclaim for his musicianship. He won three awards at the South African Music Awards in March 2000, followed by Daimler-Chrysler’s Best Musician Award eight months later.Lost and Found is a continuation of his musical journey. Whilst characterised by nimble fingerwork on the keyboards, breezy vocals and tight arrangements that his fans have come to expect, he has added reinterpretations of the music of Caiphus Semenya, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and The Soul Brothers. "Our music is so rich, melodically and lyrically, that I had to try my hand at reworking some of these songs," Mkhize explains. He describes the inclusion of the songs as a tribute to his mentors.Lost and Found celebrates the survival of African culture in its music, while experimenting with various styles: "I’ve worked in situations where that kind of cross-pollination was taboo, where I was told that I couldn’t use certain chords with certain styles. But if it weren’t for experimental ideas, the airplane would never have been invented," Mkhize comments.Mkhize’s musical virtuosity, coupled with his persistent attempts to marry traditional Zulu and Jazz idioms, make him an artist worthy of attention.