Bheki Mseleku facts for kids

Bhekumuzi Hyacinth Mseleku, usually known as Bheki Mseleku (born March 3, 1955 – died September 9, 2008), was a talented jazz musician from South Africa. He played many instruments like the piano, saxophone, and guitar. He was also a composer and arranger, which means he wrote and organized music. What's amazing is that he taught himself everything he knew about music!

Bheki Mseleku's Life Story

Bheki's father was a musician and teacher. He had strong beliefs that made him worried about his children playing music. Because of this, Bheki didn't have easy access to the family's piano. One day, his mother secretly gave him the keys to the piano while his father was away. Sadly, the piano was later used as firewood one winter.

Early Challenges

As a child, Bheki had an accident while go-karting. He lost the tips of two fingers on his right hand. He later explained that this was because Black South Africans had limited access to good healthcare during Apartheid. Apartheid was a system of unfair rules in South Africa that separated people based on their race.

Starting His Music Career

Bheki began his music journey in Johannesburg in 1975. He played the electric organ for an R&B band called Spirits Rejoice. After performing at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1977, Bheki lived in Botswana for a while. He then moved to London, England, in the late 1970s. He tried to join the jazz music scene in Stockholm from 1980 to 1983, but then he returned to London.

Making a Name for Himself

It wasn't until 1987 that Bheki Mseleku first performed at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club. This is a very famous jazz club. He played the piano by himself, with a tenor saxophone resting on his lap.

His 1991 album, Celebration, was a big success. It featured famous British musicians like Courtney Pine. The album was even nominated for a Mercury Prize, which is a major music award. After this, he signed with Verve Records and released several more albums. His first album with Verve included well-known American musicians such as Joe Henderson and Abbey Lincoln. In 1996, Bheki won a KORA All Africa Music Award for Best Instrumentalist in Southern Africa.

Later Years and Legacy

Home at Last (2003) was the last album Bheki released during his lifetime. He called himself a "Citizen of the World." Through this album, he explored the idea of "home" as a special feeling made up of important people and relationships.

In 2021, an album of his solo piano recordings called Beyond the Stars was released after his death. These songs were recorded in 2003 but were never released while he was alive. A famous musician named Nduduzo Makhathini said that Beyond the Stars tells Bheki's life story. It takes listeners on a journey from the beautiful places in Durban to the lively city of London, and then deep into one's own feelings.

Bheki Mseleku faced some health challenges during his life. He was a father to nine children. He passed away in his London home. In the years before his death, he had started a new band in London and performed several successful shows across the country.

Discography

Albums

• Celebration (World Circuit, 1991)
• Meditations (Verve, 1992)
• Timelessness (Verve, 1994)
• Star Seeding (Polygram, 1995)
• Beauty of Sunrise (Polygram, 1997)
• Home at Last (Sheer Sound, 2003)
• Beyond the Stars (Tapestry works, 2021)

Contributing artist

• The Rough Guide to the Music of South Africa (World Music Network, 1998)
• Waiting for the Rain (with Hugh Masekela, 1985)