West Nkosi
Encyclopedia
West Nkosi was a South African music producer, saxophonist and songwriter.
Nkosi was born in Nelspruit
, South Africa
. He was an original member of the Makgona Tsohle Band
which backed Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens
. He was also a producer in the Mavuthela Music subsidiary of Gallo Record Company
where he produced thousands of recordings by several famous South African artists, including the first 22 records for Ladysmith Black Mambazo
(he managed the group until their international discovery in 1987). Nkosi also produced all the international releases for Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens, and the Makgona Tsohle Band between 1986 and 1991, when he left both the Mahlathini and the Queens and Makgona Tsohle to concentrate solely on producing. Nkosi did, however, return to the recording studio with the critically acclaimed Rhythm of Healing: Supreme Sax and Penny Whistle Township Jive, in 1993.
Nkosi was paralyzed in an automobile accident in August 1998, and died from his injuries two months later, at 58 years old.
Nkosi was born in Nelspruit
Nelspruit
Nelspruit is a city of more than 500,000 people situated in northeastern South Africa. It is the capital of the Mpumalanga province . Located on the Crocodile River, Nelspruit lies about west of the Mozambique border and east of Johannesburg. The towns of Nelspruit are Kanyamazane and Pienaar...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. He was an original member of the Makgona Tsohle Band
Makgona Tsohle Band
The Makgona Tsohle Band was a South African instrumental band that is noted for creating the mbaqanga music style. The group was formed in 1964 at Mavuthela , and became the Mavuthela house band. It garnered success by backing fellow Mavuthela-Gallo stars, Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens...
which backed Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens
Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens
Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens was a South African mbaqanga supergroup composed of:...
. He was also a producer in the Mavuthela Music subsidiary of Gallo Record Company
Gallo Record Company
Gallo Record Company is the largest record label in Africa. It is based in Johannesburg, South Africa, and is owned by Avusa Limited . The current Gallo Record Company is a hybrid of two rival South African record labels between the '40s and '80s: the original Gallo Africa and G.R.C...
where he produced thousands of recordings by several famous South African artists, including the first 22 records for Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a male choral group from South Africa that sings in the vocal styles of isicathamiya and mbube. They rose to worldwide prominence as a result of singing with Paul Simon on his album, Graceland and have won multiple awards, including three Grammy Awards...
(he managed the group until their international discovery in 1987). Nkosi also produced all the international releases for Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens, and the Makgona Tsohle Band between 1986 and 1991, when he left both the Mahlathini and the Queens and Makgona Tsohle to concentrate solely on producing. Nkosi did, however, return to the recording studio with the critically acclaimed Rhythm of Healing: Supreme Sax and Penny Whistle Township Jive, in 1993.
Nkosi was paralyzed in an automobile accident in August 1998, and died from his injuries two months later, at 58 years old.
Selected discography
- Rhythm of Healing: Supreme Sax and Penny Whistle Township Jive (1993)
- Sixteen Original Sax Jive Hits (1991) - Vol 1
- Sixteen Original Jive Hits (2000) - Vol 2