THE ARTISTRY OF BHEKI MSELEKU

247pp., 4to., musical notation, paperback, Cape Town, 2020

A study of Bheki Mseleku's compositional works and improvisational style.

South African jazz pianist, saxophonist, guitarist, composer and arranger Bheki Mseleku (1955-2008) began his musical career in Johannesburg in 1975 as an electric organ player for the band, Spirits Rejoice. After performing at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1977 he moved to Botswana and then to London.

"Despite being entirely self-taught, Mseleku was the most technically sophisticated of jazz musicians, though the abiding experience of hearing him play was one of an unjazzlike simplicity." John Fordham, The Guardian

Professor Andrew Lilley is Assistant Director of the South African College of Music.