Louis Mhlanga

Bio

Louis Mhlanga is a South Africa-based guitarist from Zimbabwe. He started playing the guitar at the age of 10, imitating the likes of Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and other rock stars from the 60s and 70s. He also studied both Southern and West African guitar traditions, and successfully incorporated the traditional mbira (thumb piano) patterns of the Shona people into his unique modern electric guitar style.

Mhlanga is known for his collaborations as much as his solo work. He features on the 1996 collaborative album 'Place of Hope' alongside international stars like George Duke, James Ingram and Al Jarreau. He can also be heard on Andy Narell’s 'Fire in the Engine Room' (2000) and ‘Live in South Africa’ (2001). In 1999 he recorded 'Live At The Bassline' with Vusi Mahlasela. Musik Ye Afrika, another collaborative band, is the brainchild of Louis and his long-time friend, bassist Jimi Indi. They recorded their first album in 1997, following it in mid-2003 with 'United We Stand', featuring stars like Oliver Mtukudzi, Busi Mhlongo, Chiwoniso Maraire, Marcus Wyatt, Bushy Seatlholo and Sydney Mnisi. 'Keeping the Dream' (2004) was another collaborative album, this time with Dutch bassist Eric van der Westen, also featuring Senegal's Habib Koite.

Mhlanga's first solo album, 'Mukai' (2000) received high acclaim and further established him in the South African market. The Louis Mhlanga Band came into being in 2001, featuring formidable South Africa jazz heavyweights Andile Yenana (keys), Denis Lalouette (bass), Sello Montwedi (drums) and Basi Mahlasela (percussion). They were invited by SAFM to perform a recorded concert during the 2001 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, resulting in the release of 'Shamwari', Mhlanga’s first album on the Sheer Sound Label. The SAMA-nominated follow-up in 2004, 'Tinganekwane' (Stories), showcased Louis' signature style, revisiting traditional Zimbabwe flavours interspersed with some surprises.

Posts

Louis Mhlanga's picture

Louis Mhlanga added 12 new videos

Chifamba (Live)
Hona Ka (Live)
Chiutare (Live)
Louis Mhlanga's picture

Louis Mhlanga added 26 new videos

Hona Ka
Distant Lover
Quiet Moments
Louis Mhlanga's picture

Louis Mhlanga added 3 new videos

Chifamba
Take Me
Zuva
Louis Mhlanga's picture

Louis Mhlanga added 20 new videos

Beira
Kugarisana Nevamwe Zvakanaka
Spreading Some Love

Music

Track artwork
POWERFM987
Paul Speaks To Louis Mhlanga (Jazz Guitarist) And He Tells Of His Musical Journey
14:40
SoundCloud

Videos

Mari Hakuna (Live)
International Rumba (Live)
Mai Rugare (Live)
Shamwari (Live)
What Happened to Love (Live)
Distant Lover (Live)
Chifamba (Live)
Hona Ka (Live)
Zvinoshamisa (Live)
Kugarisana Nevamwe Zvakanaka (Live)
Chiutare (Live)
Africa Ya Uya (Live)
International Rhumba
What the Future Holds
Take Me
International Rhumba
Gumbo Muchochocho
Kamba Kemaziso
Chifamba
Distant Lover
Mari Hakuna
Zuva
Rhumba All the Way
Afrika Ya Uya
Shungu Iwe
Hona Ka
Spreading Some Love
International Rhumba
Song in My Dream
What the Future Holds
Mari Hakuna
Stories
Munwe Murume
Gumbo Muchochocho
Calypso
Quiet Moments
Gwenya Mbira
Seiko Kani
Take Me
Zuva
Chifamba
Zuva
Seiko Kani
Shamwari
Gwenya Mbira
Distant Lover
Song in My Dream
Spreading Some Love
Afrika Ya Uya
Mari Hakuna
Hona Ka
Hona Ka
International Rhumba
What the Future Holds
What the Future Holds
Mukai
Mahanga Kutapira
Pamhuno Sefodya
Mwana Wenyu
Spread Love
Chiutare
Wandikurumdzira
Love On the Radio
Take Me
Afrika Ya Uya
Beira
Chifamba
Hona Ka
Shamwari
Kugarisana Nevamwe Zvakanaka
What Happened to Love?
Dzembira
Distant Lover
Hona Ka

Photos

ZAJohannesburg, South Africa
In operation since: 
1970

Contact

Louis Mhlanga

Followers (3)

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