Bheki mseleku biography template

Bheki Mseleku fused elements of African township music with American bebop to become the most prominent South African jazz pianist of his time. He was born Bhekumuzi Hseleku in Durban on March 3, 1955. His father was a teacher of music.

The elder Mseleku, a deeply religious man, was afraid that any of his seven children would choose a career as a professional musician. He kept the piano safe and eventually cut it up for firewood. Mseleku’s mom slipped the key to her husband when he was away.

Over time, the boy learned how to play and even modified his style after a go cart accident that claimed two fingers. He also developed a faster and more efficient technique to compensate for his shorter hand span.

Bheki mseleku biography template

Mseleku began playing the electric organ in his teens. He was a part of the semi-professional Expressions group. In 1975, he moved to Johannesburg to join hard bop band the Drive. He later co-founded the progressive jazz project Spirits Rejoice alongside bassist Sipho Gumede bef