Duke Bantu X

Bio:

"Bantudubjazz project" began in December of 2005 by Duke Mandlabantu Mseleku with friends, since then it has been growing strong, like a healthy child. Our music ideas come from the universe, and we are influenced by nature and its environment. AFRICA THE BEGINNING VIA THE WHOLE WORLD SPREADING LOVE AND CONSCIOUSNESS THROUGH SOUND AND CULTURE.____ Duke Bantu Mseleku : I was born in South Africa (Kwa-Zulu Natal) and comes from a family of musicians. Music has been passed over to me by grand parents, however music is a life style and important culture in my family. At age ten when my father was writing music for his projects he decided to teach us to sing in four parts harmony me and my cousins. Duke began working as a professional performer, at age 17 years old in Johannesburg 1980 Sam Williams singers, 1982 Dakashi Afro-fusion-jazz, 1984 Oneness Afro-reggae, CAW Band Afro-folk & rock, 1991 Natal University Big Band Jazz, 1993 move to London UK, 1995 move to United sates and played with numerous musicians and bands in New York . In NYC, March 2002, became a founder member of Akoya Afro-beat Ensemble.___Now is the time to produce my original material as a solo artist. With all my experience from back in the 70s and 80s when I was a kid, it's the right time to apply that knowledge to my present and future projects._____Bantudubjazz Project is a 30 years of experience from my times of Apartheid in South Africa, Soweto, Johannesburg, Zimbabwe, Harare, Zulu-land, Swazi-land, Lesotho, Botswana, England and now United States..__________While growing up in South Africa and being around all kinds of cultural activist, artist, my musical family and learning the hard way. Life has been a triple vision. Since the many experiences of childhood up to June 16 1976 as children, when we started a revolution to fight against Apartheid system in schools, "Bantu education", and Segrigation, we were successful through songs and chants "toyi toyi" etc..________In 1978, I crossed the boarder to gain AFRICAN FREEDOM & music education in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho and returned to Joburg in 1980. Joined Sam William singers in 1981 doing a'cappella music, (IMBUBE), South African style. Between 1980 and 84, where one was traveling back and forth from Durban and Johannesburg. In 1982 moved to Kwazulu Natal and studied African Township Jazz in Thekwini with Maxwell Gcaba (my father), and became a leader of Dakashi music group (Afro Township jazz) while working with an African reggae band lead by Dan Kapueja, for ten years. Also worked with Victor Ntoni at SABC, Durban Studios________While in South Africa, I performed along side, artist like Sakhile, Savuka, Juluka, Stimela and Ray Phiri, Brenda Fasie, Black Mambazo, Lucky Dube, Condry Ziqubu, Chico Twala, Sipho Mabuse, Dr Alban, Richard Ellis, Mike Smith, Steve & Issy Fataar, Soul Brothers, Mzwakhe Mbuli, Simba Mori, Tananas, Rebeca, Chacka Chacka, and many more artist.________In 1985-88 became a performing and visual arts student at Community Arts Workshop in Durban RSA, 1988-90 a contemporary classical music student at Natal Technicon, Durban RSA, 1991-93 received a Ronie Madonsela scholarship to study Jazz & Popular Music, at Kwazulu Natal University for three years, and had a chance to perform, with Abdulah Ibrahim known as Dollar Brand in a big band jazz ensemble conducted by Cris Merz and Darius Brubeck, also in the big band was Sazi Dlamini, Feya Faku, Andile Yenana, Zim Nqawana, Lex Futshane, Bongani Sokhele, Sthembiso, Mfana Mlambo, Concord Nkabinde and many other music students at Kwazulu Natal University..________In 1993 moved to the UK and studied with my ancle, Bheki Mseleku and Nomvula Ndlazilwane, some spiritual practice and meditation in London, for two years, and that was a serious experience. Because, I was hoping to play music everyday, but it was just chanting and spiritual practise all the time._________Moved to Peekskill New York in 1995, Peekskill was an interesting place for me because at the Jazz Club called One Station Plaza, was a great sax player Dave Finucane and he hosted music workshops every week there. I was part of that place at times and got to meet many great jazz musicians and political activists. Now being based in the United States, especially New York City, this platform gives one a chance to work with people, from different cutural backgrounds and life styles.___________Also been working with reggae artist like Tampi Hill (Jamaica), Next Step Caribean Islands , Cedric Im Brooks from Jamaica, Afrobeat music masters Oluko Imo, of Fela and Egybt 80, & One Africa band. Kaleta Leon Legan Majeck of Zozo Afrobeat (Benin), Akoya Afrobeat, Azuka of Africa (Nigeria), Emperor Adichie(Nigeria), Majeck Fasheck(Nigeria) Oscar Debe (Nigeria) JoJo K ( Egybt 80) and many other West African artist.__________With "Bantudubjazz project", we've been performing around New York City, and also working in the studio to create and record new music, which will be released in the near future of 2010. "Bantudubjazz" is a new force of sound.... Musicians come from around the planet and now based in Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens, " The Dead End Cities- No Way Out" !!!

Member Since:

September 22, 2006

Members:

Duke Bantu X _South Africa Featuring guest musicians: Ryan Blotnick/guitar, Jojo Kuo/drums, Taku Kuroda/trumpet, Seth Paris/alto & tenor sax , _______________ EXTENDED FAMILY ON THE LIVE RECORDINGS:Darlene O'Keef - vocals_USA, Matt Snow-bass_USA, Keiji Yoshino- guitar_Japan, Naazir_ Trumpet_USA,Kerry Malone Brown-tenor sax_USA, John Restrepo_sax and flute Oscar Debe_drums, Robinson Hernandez_Keys_Domenican Republic, Miki Hirose_Trumpet- Japan, Arei -drums/ Y Kobayashi_Japan, Felix Chen_USA, Dale P_USA, Donovan E_Jamaica, Shaun J_USA, Damian F_USA, DUB DADDY**Japan**

Influences:

Nature,wind, sun, moon, stars, water, seasons, good & bad environments, moving force, sounds of liberation. African music, Friends, Family, ( Jah spirits), Ska, Blues, Funk jazz, Folk, Hip hop, Rock, Jamaican music, British Dub, Latin muisc, Brazilian music, American jazz, Indian music, Classical stuff etc..

Sounds Like:

Record Label:

Indie