It is with deep sorrow that we learnt of the passing of Bheki Mseleku, the internationally renowned piano maestro from Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa.

Bheki Mseleku  left us on the 8th September following a long and hard battle with diabetes, aged 53.

We offer our condolences to his widow, Ms Nomvula Ndlazilwane, to the Mseleku family, relatives and his friends. May you all draw spiritual strength to see you through this time of bereavement, in the knowledge that thousands of music lovers share your grief.

Bheki Mseleku was living and working in the United Kingdom. He was hospitalised earlier this year because of his diabetes.

An artist who considered himself “A Citizen of the World,” Mseleku had chosen to spend much of his time in Europe, especially London, in pursuance of the opportunities for live performances and to further his musical career.
Born in Lamontville, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Mseleku came from an artistic family. But he took charge of his own life and fate when he taught himself to play various instruments.

He relocated to Johannesburg in 1975 where he joined the group “Spirits Rejoice”. He soon established himself as a remarkable electric organ player.

Although he was a versatile instrumentalist, Mseleku was greatly attracted to jazz. It was a genre that seemed to ignite his soul as it allowed him self-expression to not only shape his individual identity but also to articulate the plight of the African people.

Shortly after the 1976 Soweto Uprising, he left the land of his birth in defiance of the oppressive apartheid system and to seek global acknowledgement and recognition for his talent.

His debut at the much vaunted Ronnie Scott’s in London launched him into jazz mainstream where he gave a good account of himself.

This marked a turning point in his hard struggle for acknowledgement and recognition. In fact, Mseleku’s achievement coincided with ‘winds of change’ blowing through South Africa.

Thus when he eventually released his long awaited star-studded debut album, “Celebration” (1991), it had undertones of the release of Nelson Mandela and the unbanning of the liberation movement.

Now at the height of his career, Mseleku stepped forward to lead  a star studded group of jazz musicians, including Courtney Pine, Steve Williamson, Eddie parker, Jean Toussaint, Michael Bowie and Marvin “Smitty” Smith to celebrate the dawn of freedom.

Mseleku was crowned an international jazz piano icon owing to his outstanding resilience, creativity and originality.
Perhaps more than any other musician of his generation, Mseleku was able to put his genius, that had defied man-made structural constraints, on the international map when it was easy to blame apartheid.

Following this  achievement, Mseleku withdrew to himself to seek the spiritual purpose of his life. This search for meaning was captured and reflected in “Meditations” (1992) which was recorded live at the Bath International Music Festival.

In 1993 Mseleku released “Timelessness,” which reflected his spiritual depth and personal liberation.

He was uplifted and validated when well known African-American musicians, including Joe Henderson, Pharaoh Sanders, Abbey Lincoln and Elvin Jones accompanied him on this spiritual journey.

He was to close the decade with two more albums, “Star Seedings” (1995) and the “Beauty of Sunrise” (1997.) This marked the high point of success and achievement for Mseleku abroad where he was feted by a wide audience.

At the dawn of the new century, Mseleku was to give the world his most inspired music, “Home At Last” (2003.)

It was in this offering that he not only reconnected with his roots but revealed his intuitive connection with the soul of the African continent, especially a liberated South Africa.

Thus he returned to the country of his birth to much acclaim. On the numerous occasions and visits here he multiplied his talent by not only sharing the stage with the new generation of jazz talent but by teaching young stars of the future.

Today, there is a whole legion of jazz artists who have been inspired by Mseleku . He is an example of a defiant creative spirit that transcended man-made odds to achieve goals he had set for himself.

Mseleku had expressed the wish to come back home shortly before he passed away.

Bheki Mseleku took a giant leap for unmistakably indigenous South African jazz. A supremely talented creative and visionary musician, he has consolidated the place South African musicians have carved out on the international jazz scene.

May his soul rest in peace!

ENDSFor further information, call Sandile Memela, (at 082 800 3750), Spokesperson for the Ministry of Arts & Culture at 0828003750 or Premi Appalraju, Media Liaison Officer at 082 903 6778.