Mhlanga is a graduate of the London music scene where he kept company with the legendary South African saxophonist, Dudu Phukwana. Botswana’s own Aubrey Oaki, whose bass has become part of the African music scene in the English capital, has also had occasion to share musical experiences with Louis.
Both spent the earlier years of their musical lives in Zimbabwe.
Mhlanga visits about four months after he made an appearance at Botswana Craft in Gaborone where his group included an accordion player.
Following the passing on of Zimbabwean drummer, Jethro Sasha, who was also a leading light in the trade union movement, Louis has been able to acquire the services of Sam Mataore, currently one of the most sought after percussionists in southern Africa.
Mataore has performed in Botswana with “Tuku musik” guru, Oliver Mtukudzi. Visitors at Maitisong will have seen him in collaboration with Steve Dyer at the Ditebogo concert last year June.
He also appeared with the McCoy Mrubatha ensemble at Cape Town’s North Sea Jazz Festival that included trumpeter Prince Legoana and pianist Paul Hammer.
Sam has distinguished himself as the most versatile successor to Sasha, who had earned a reputation as the chairman of the drumming faculty at the academy of percussion in Zimbabwe.
Bassist, James Indi has been a faithful partner in Musik Ye Afrika for as long as that ensemble has existed.
The group comes at the invitation of none other than veteran music promoter Soares Katumbela who has found a musical home at Mochudi.
Katumbela boasts a reputation as the premiere promoter who pioneered the staging of live jazz in Francistown where he cultivated a vigorous jazz movement at the New Yorker and Ritzmar.
For over ten years now he has enlivened the music scene at the Blue Note where his Midas touch lured many a music reveler.
For relief from the hussle-bussle of Gaborone, and a breath of fresh village oxygen, the reader is advised to set Saturday evening aside for a trip to Mochudi where Mhlanga and Musik Ye Afrika will certainly not disappoint.
