Don Laka is one of South Africa’s top Jazz musicians.
He is currently South Africa’s top Jazz musician producer,engineer,Record label director.
Don Laka creates music with one foot in the past and the other in the future,
creating a synergistic realm of music that speaks to the young and old alike. Resistant to all attempts to
be categorised or pigeonholed as a certain type of artist (e.g. Modern or traditional Jazz, African
traditional, etc), Don has become known as an innovative musician. He combines his creative
multiplicity into a powerful stew of music seasoned with jazz, swing, pop, kwaito, African traditional,
funk and rock n’ roll with a dash of the life experiences of his community. His ability to create a
smorgasbord of music explains why he is a well- respected recording artist that reaches out to all
classes and races of people, at home and abroad.Besides bridging the gap between the young and the
old, Don and his new breed of jazz, called “Kwaijazz”, reflect the new South Africa. Kwaijazz
is a genre of music that is up and coming, accessible and has no boundaries or limitations to one’s
creativity. It is uniquely South African and is anticipated to become popular across the globe. A
mature musician who has successfully married technique and emotion to produce end results of
universal appeal. He is probably one of the few musicians of his age in South Africa who combines the
roles of musician and credible businessman. Peers in the entertainment industry credit him as the
father of one of the first and most successful, independent kwaito labels, Kalawa Records, which was
instrumental in introducing a fresh approach to South Africa’s weathered music industry.
Born in 1958 near Pretoria in Mamelodi. He was the first child in a family of five. In 1969, he
formed his first band and made his first recording in 1972, which featured Ray Phiri on guitar. As one
of South Africa’s most innovative contemporary artists and producers, it’s hard to believe Don ’s
career began back in the politically volatile days of 1976. In that year, Don was playing bass and
singing backing vocals for a group called The Flood, which enjoyed a huge hit with “Let Me Into
Your Life”, selling a staggering 320 000 units. After passing matric in 1978, Don’s prodigious talent
for everything he turned his hand to saw him enroll in the Royal School of Music, ultimately earning
his Grade 8 on the classical guitar and obtaining his licentiate in high school music teaching in 1979.
He would have pursued music further, but apartheid laws prevented him from enrolling at the
Pretoria Conservatoire. Not to be defeated, Don continued to pursue music whilst working as a
clerk in a grocery store. From 1980 to 1981, he joined the Afro fusion group, Sakhile that was formed
by Sipho Gumede and Khaya Mahlangu. The group revolutionised South African music, and set a
trend for groups like Bayete. He played with many South African notables such as Joy, Brenda
Fassie, Sipho Mabuse and Sankomota.
Don recorded his first big hit with a group called “Oneness” before moving on to form his own
British-rock influenced band, “Ymage”. The group performed together for ten (10) years and
recorded no less than 12 Albums. In that decade, Don had an album produced by Tony Visconti
(Bowie, T Rex) who passed on much of his knowledge to Don, allowing him to explore new
territory as a producer and arranger.
His songs and piano playing proved to be popular with other musicians, who asked him to write,
produce or perform on their records. In 1990, Don began writing big orchestral arrangements for
Sibongile Khumalo. She performed his songs at notable venues such as the National Symphony
Orchestra of South Africa. In 1991, he also collaborated with Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Rebecca
Malope. In the late nineties, Don’s solo career was given a substantial boost with the release of
Destiny, a fusion of hip-hop, traditional African rhythms, classical music and pop that saw Don
playing drums, bass, guitar, piano and soprano sax. Two more equally acclaimed albums, Supernova”
and “Pyramid” followed the successful album. His career blossomed further by producing and
performing with artists such as Ray Phiri, Brenda Fassie, Sipho Mabuse, Mango Groove, Sharon Dee
and Johnny Clegg,Bongo Muffin,Mafikizolo amongst others. He is now regarded as one of South Africa’ premier producers.
Laka attests that the highlight of his producing career was producing Hugh Masekela’s albums
“Black to the Future” and “Sixty” where he combined the latest rhythms without neglecting the
music that created Masekela’s endless pool of loyal fans. Indeed, his participation in the album
earned him FNB South African Music Award nomination as Best Producer. Don has often spoken
at music seminars and panels on the issue of quality and standards of South African Music. He has
also toured internationally in London, the United States, Canada and Austria,Russia,Chile,Cuba,Jamaica. His music has
achieved international recognition in England, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal
and the United States.
Happy new year!I am excited about 2010.I will be releasing two new CDs which I spend 2009 working on.I will be posting some songs very soon on my space.
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Aimée-Laryss-Moseka New@dress 2010
Happy new year & manny blessing to u my precious friend Thank so much for all the beautiful love supporting you are awesome friend God bless your sweet heart; your family your project and more love for all the friends stay is in the hospital.. Hugs 2010 be the best year for u Prosperit,happiness All the dream be great Have a amazing new year Stay blessed peace in always love Welcome Check the new song in my tune New year>>> song>>>>for me to you MAICHA
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