Ngiyakwemukula …. sounds of “home” in a Bheki key. From Zulu to Hindu …

This was a brave gig to put on by Seven Jazz – Senegalese world superstar Baaba Maal was playing at The Howard Assembly Rooms that very same evening. Baaba Maal together with Mansour Seck produced the most beautiful of albums “Djam Leelii” – an album of rare beauty, it was released back in 1989 …. only 2 years after Bheki Mseleku’s debut performance at Ronnie Scott’s in London showing that Bheki’s music also had great beauty.

Pianist / leader John Donaldson was obviously aware of this in thanking the audience for coming out to their gig. He knew fellow pianist Bheki Mseleku as both friend and inspiration …. touring the UK with him shortly before Bheki’s premature death in 2008. This band’s music is both a personal and musical tribute.

I’d be lying if I said I was familiar with Bheki Mseleku’s work – however I do know that he was one of a long line of South African musicians who had come over to these shores – a process started back in the early Sixties with the wonderful Chris McGregor and his Brotherhood of Breath, Bheki ultimately took up residence in London in the mid-Eighties.  

 

That Bheki was held in high regard is evident by some of the beautiful obituaries found on the web. Bheki appears to have been a rare talent – self-taught yet fragile. He once retired for two years of occasional teaching and contemplation in a Buddhist temple, with no phone and no piano saying "I feel if I evolve spiritually, the music will have more depth. Maybe even from one note, like Pharoah [Sanders] does." 

 

Spiritual evolution was what he achieved …. born a Zulu, becoming a Hindu.

 

As journalist John Matshikiza wrote "Bheki has always shied away from labels like 'black', 'exile', 'South African', 'jazz' or even 'pianist'”.

 

This gig essentially comprised tracks from the band’s tribute to Bheki CD “Nearer Awakening”.

First set

“Joy” – solos all round with a very strong South African vibe

“Timelessness” taken from the title of an early Bheki album

“Nearer Awakening” …. slow and melodic

“Angola” – a tour-de-force

Second set

“Ntuli Street” – up tempo

“Saluman Saud” – slower, mellow tune

“My Passion” – wistful, originally recorded with Charlie Haden and Billy Higgins

The only ballad and not on the album “Ballad For the Saints” …. Beautiful

“Blues For Afrika” – a nice blast from Pete King to close with 

 

Pete King last played Seven on Thursday October 29th 2009 – how do I know? I was down in Brighton and on the morning I went round the beautiful Royal Pavilion, came back up to see Pete King in the evening. Not many days beat that! Pete King left a note on the Seven website saying he would be back …. And he was true to his word. 

 

John Donaldson’s group play Bheki’s music from the heart …. as a group, with subtle arrangements. They know it inside out and guided Pete King through the music – it was a real pleasure to see again such a highly admired musician. 

 

The event was a total success artistically – those not there may have gone to see Babba Maal instead – but my heart’s with Seven Jazz!

 

Those who came to see and hear the John Donaldson Sextet playing the music of Bheki Mseleku were richly rewarded. Heartfelt music …. warts and all – the best of jazz. 

 

"Bheki Mseleku, jazz musician, born March 3 1955; died September 9 2008. You have flown home - there where you have always dwelled. Your wing touched us but briefly …. the few that listened heard your Heavenly music. Hamba Kahle”