Allen Kwela Downloads

Allen Kwela was born on the 11 September 1939 in Chesterville, Durban and grew up on the South Coast where he also attended school. He began his young life as a heardboy, but apart from attending school he already realised that his passion was for the guitar. His brothers were both musical playing... Learn More »

Allen Kwela was born on the 11 September 1939 in Chesterville, Durban and grew up on the South Coast where he also attended school. He began his young life as a heardboy, but apart from attending school he already realised that his passion was for the guitar. His brothers were both musical playing the guitar and violin restively, but rather than encourage their younger sibling they would give his a severe beating if he so much as touched their instruments.

In desperation he made himself a guitar out of a one gallon oil drum and cable wires which he would strum while tending his fathers herds. It was not until he left home that acquired a proper six string guitar which he would tune to a major triad so that he could achieve a sound akin to that of Glen Miller and play one of his favourite tunes: "In The Mood". When he returned to his town after a year away from home the word soon spread that their was a youngster with burning fingers, a neighbour brought him an electric guitar to practice on and he was soon the solo act doing shows that lasted the whole night at jazz spots around his home.

Like so many musicians he felt it essential to move to the bustling city of Johannesburg in order to meet other musicians and hopefully cut a record. It was here that Allen Kwela found a home for the emerging sound that was to become known as Kwela music a strange twist of fate baring in mind the name of the composer. It was in Jo'burg that Allen met the late Spokes Mashiyane, together they composed arranged and played their own brand of music at all the local night-spots. Spokes went on to greatness acquiring the title of father of Kwela music and sadly leaving his premier song-writer by the way side.

Allen found that his natural inclination was for jazz and moved away from Kwela to carve out his own niche as one of South Africa's finest jazz guitarists. He incorporates a myriad of styles from township to indigenous rhythms and jazz which he plays to incorporate a wider range of listeners and broaden his appeal of his music.

His debut album "The Broken Strings of Allen Kwela" speaks of the broken dreams and aspirations of the black people as a result of the Apartheid era.

Featured on the album are: local singing sensation Sibongile Khumalo, Vusi Khumalo (drums), Glen Mofoko (bass), Barney Rachabane (saxophone), and Denzil Weale (piano).
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