Vusi Khumalo

Vusi Khumalo is undoubtedly one of the South Africa’s leading jazz drummers, Vusi Khumalo has been a force in the jazz scene for nearly three decades. From the tender age of five, Vusi Khumalo knew that he was born to be a musician. To the young lad, jazz was a passion rooted deeply inside his soul. Already at that age, Vusi listened to the top jazz musicians and entertainers of that era.

Amongst his peers, Vusi was known to carry a 45’ vinyl of Jimmy Smith’s Mojo to school. He would also venture out to the legendary saxophonist Kippie Moeketsi’s house just to hear him play his instrument, savouring the late saxophonist’s talent. And so began the musical journey of Vusi Khumalo ...Vusi is considered one of the top drummer/composer/ arrangers in South Africa. He follows in the footsteps of 60s legendary jazz drummer Early Mabuza, to become one of the front leading drummers of his generation.

Over nearly three decades, Vusi boasts a respectable résumé that includes working with internationally renown artists such as Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Caiphus Semenya and Abdullah Ibrahim. He is also one of the original members of the band that recorded with Paul Simon on the seminal Grammy award-winning Graceland album. Vusi has graced a number of best- selling albums locally and internationally. He has toured across the globe, and spent some years in the US sharing his talents from the east coast to the west coast.

Naturally gifted, an achiever and a perfectionist, Vusi has demonstrated himself to be a versatile musician accomplished in various styles of music. He has performed with South African musicians including Winston Mankunku, Bheki Mseleku, Barney Rachabane, Allen Kwela, among others. Internationally he has worked with legends Chucho Valdes, Youssou N’Dour, Bob Baldwin, Donald Harrison, and the late Carl Anderson, to name but a few.In 2000, Vusi released his debut album Follow Your Dream. The album was nominated in 2000 for the Kora Awards in the Best Video category, as well as the South African Music Awards (SAMA) for Best Contemporary Jazz. Recorded in 1999 at the Real World Studios in London, the album featured Mark Anthony from Incognito and Cuban musicians from the band Irakere. The album’s track Dusk to Dawn was selected as theme song for the popular South African television soapie Backstage. He also found the band Dondo, with Lawrence Matshiza. Their album Changing Times won the 2004 SAMA in the category Contemporary Jazz. The concept behind Dondo was to mentor talented young artists and help launch their careers in the music
industry. One such talent whose career was launched is the late composer and pianist Moses Molelekwa.
In 2011 Vusi released his latest offering Reasons for Seasons. Receiving wide acclaim, the album received a 2011 Metro FM Awards nomination for Best Contemporary Jazz. It also was nominated for a 2012 SAMA in the category Best Jazz Album. The album, which has been quoted as being ‘sensational’, features international musicians...