Tlale Makhene

Tlale Makhene is one of South Africa’s most remarkable drumming talents. Highly regarded by musicians and musical fans alike, he has been featured in and produced more than 300 jazz and world music albums and is a much sought after indigenous music teacher, musical director, session musician and performer.

Many refer to Tlale as “The Groove Master” because of his amazing skill and concepts around polyrhythmic/melodic music. His workshops encompass rhythm and body percussion for beginners, intermediate and master classes.

Through the many workshops that Tlale held and attended, he came across a group of three Danish drummers known as Drums Across. They had been recruiting drummers in the country and naturally, Tlale came highly recommended for the group.

Starting in Guinea, the group travelled around Africa looking for talent to work with. He was invited to perform, acquire more skill in contemporary musicology with them in Denmark for three months. This afforded him an opportunity to collaborate with John Sund, Yasser Pino, Rune Thorsteinsson (pianist), Carsten D among many others. His work ethic permeates without him having to blow his own horn. Tlale went on and performed with the Copehagen Rhythmic Conservatory Big Band and taught rhythmic workshops in Copenhagen as part of a cultural exchange program. Subsequently Tlale then recorded 6 tracks for his album in Denmark before completing the project in South Africa. The rest of the tracks were recorded at SABC studios in Johannesburg. Produced by Africa Mkhize (husband to Zenzeke Makeba – Miriam Makeba’s grand daughter), the album is a far cry from simply a drumming album – it is a celebration of musical styles. A fusion of raw talent and honed skills, blending with the traditional elements that make these songs some of the best loved around.

Gentle, focused and extremely wise for his years, he renders his listeners, students and colleagues calm with his confident, soft-spoken voice.
His spiritual album, The Ascension of the Enlightened, is a sincere offering from a truly enlightened man. Born in Soweto, Tlale moved to Swaziland at a young age and began drumming at the age of four. The album was nominated and won the MTN South African Music Award for Best contemporary Album. He was contending this category with established artists such as Hugh Masekela, Paul Hanmer, Water + Lights and Themba Mkhize.

Highlights Prior to 2011
• Toured nationally with Keiko Matsui (Japan) as well as performing in her album called MOYO, where he got to work with Derrick Nakamoto who has been a long time producer for Keiko Matsui.
• He also performed with Pharaoh Sanders Corrine Bailey (U.K), Angelique Kidjo (Benin), Jamalia (U.K) during the 46664 concerts.
• Tlale was part of a performance at a World Economic Forum in an Ensemble led by Caiphus Semenya and directed by Quincy Jones. Other members of that ensemble were Arturo Sandoval, Bashiri Johnson, Branford Marsalis, Louis Nash and Herbie Hancock.
• On 14th November 2009 he was...