Moses Taiwa Molelekwa
Encyclopedia
Moses Taiwa Molelekwa was a South African jazz
pianist from a family of jazz musicians. His father was nicknamed "Monk", by the jazz society he belonged to, for his understanding of Thelonious Monk
. Despite that poverty and issues concerning apartheid caused Moses education in his childhood to be haphazard, at best. His father aided his musical education as best he could and as soon as he could afford a keyboard Moses showed promise. This led to his entering the Federal Union of Black Arts, which he graduated from in 1987 with honors and then made his professional debut.
In the next few years he played with Miriam Makeba
, Jonas Gwangwa
, and others. In 1988 Hugh Masekela
asked him to join his bands and this period saw him winning the first of several awards. His solo career began in 1994 with the debut Finding Oneself. By 1996 he had gained widespread attention as a solo artist winning two FNB South Africa Music Awards for traditional jazzand was seen as a rising star in South African jazz.
He also played outside South African tradition or society. He played at the North Sea Jazz Festival
and worked with Brazilian singer Flora Purim
on his second album. He also did work beyond jazz with TKZee
.
The following years saw other successes, but on February 13, 2001 he and his wife Florence 'Flo' Mthobo were found dead. He had been hung
while she had been strangled to death. They had an eight year old son at the time.
South African jazz
South African jazz is the jazz music of South Africa, also often mistakenly called "African jazz".-History:As in the United States, South African jazz was strongly influenced by the music styles of the black population. That said influences from the US led to its formation...
pianist from a family of jazz musicians. His father was nicknamed "Monk", by the jazz society he belonged to, for his understanding of Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Sphere Monk was an American jazz pianist and composer considered "one of the giants of American music". Monk had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including "Epistrophy", "'Round Midnight", "Blue Monk", "Straight, No Chaser"...
. Despite that poverty and issues concerning apartheid caused Moses education in his childhood to be haphazard, at best. His father aided his musical education as best he could and as soon as he could afford a keyboard Moses showed promise. This led to his entering the Federal Union of Black Arts, which he graduated from in 1987 with honors and then made his professional debut.
In the next few years he played with Miriam Makeba
Miriam Makeba
Miriam Makeba , nicknamed Mama Africa, was a Grammy Award winning South African singer and civil rights activist....
, Jonas Gwangwa
Jonas Gwangwa
Jonas Mosa Gwangwa has been an important figure in South African jazz for over 40 years. He first gained significance playing trombone with The Jazz Epistles...
, and others. In 1988 Hugh Masekela
Hugh Masekela
Hugh Ramopolo Masekela is a South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer, and singer.-Early life:Masekela was born in Kwa-Guqa Township, Witbank, South Africa. He began singing and playing piano as a child...
asked him to join his bands and this period saw him winning the first of several awards. His solo career began in 1994 with the debut Finding Oneself. By 1996 he had gained widespread attention as a solo artist winning two FNB South Africa Music Awards for traditional jazzand was seen as a rising star in South African jazz.
He also played outside South African tradition or society. He played at the North Sea Jazz Festival
North Sea Jazz Festival
The North Sea Jazz Festival is an annual jazz festival held each second weekend of July in the Netherlands at the Ahoy venue. It used to be in The Hague but since 2006 it has been held in Rotterdam...
and worked with Brazilian singer Flora Purim
Flora Purim
Flora Purim is a Brazilian jazz singer known primarily for her work in the jazz fusion style. She became prominent for her part in Chick Corea's landmark album Return to Forever...
on his second album. He also did work beyond jazz with TKZee
TKZee
TKZee is a South Africa kwaito music group formed by three school friends, Tokollo Tshabalala, Kabelo Mabalane, and Zwai Bala. The group shot to prominence in late 1997 and early 1998 with their hit singles Palafala and Shibobo....
.
The following years saw other successes, but on February 13, 2001 he and his wife Florence 'Flo' Mthobo were found dead. He had been hung
Hanging
Hanging is the lethal suspension of a person by a ligature. The Oxford English Dictionary states that hanging in this sense is "specifically to put to death by suspension by the neck", though it formerly also referred to crucifixion and death by impalement in which the body would remain...
while she had been strangled to death. They had an eight year old son at the time.