About Me
Bantu dubjazz project began in December 2005. Duke Mandlabantu Mseleku with friends, since then it has been growing strong, like a healthy child. Our music ideas come from the universe, and we are influenced by nature and its environment. While growing up in South Africa and being around all kinds of cultural activist, artist, and learning the hard way. Life has been a triple vision. June 16 1976 as children, we started a revolution to fight against Apartheid in schools, "Bantu education" and we were successful. In 1978 I crossed the boarder to gain AFRICAN FREEDOM & education in Zimbabwe, and returned to Joburg in 1980. Joined Sam William singers in 1981 doing acapella music, Imbube, South African style. Between 1980 and 84 I was traveling back and forth to Durban and Joburg, stayed in Eldorado Park and Soweto with people like Duke Makasi, Bingo Mbonjeni, Sam William and many other friends in Gauteng. When I was learning to play clarinet, I used to listen to Duke Makasi practice soprano and tenor saxophones all the time at his house, because it was a shebeen and a cool hang out place. In 1982 moved to Kwazulu Natal and studied African Township Jazz in Durban with Maxwell Gcaba (my father), and became a leader of Dakashi music group (Afro Township jazz) while working with a reggae band lead by Dan Kapueja for ten years. When in South Africa, I performed along side, with artist like Sakhile, Savuka and Juluka, Stimela and Ray Phiri, Brenda Fasie and Big dudes, Black Mambazo, Lucky Dube and Slaves, Condry Ziqubu, Chico Twala, Hot Stix Mabuse, Dr Alban, Richard Ellis, Mike Smith, Steve & Issy Fatar, Soul Brothers, Mzwakhe Mbuli, Simba Mori, Tananas, Rebeca, Chacka Chacka, Mercy Phakela, and many more other artist. In 1991 received a Ronie Madonsela scholarship to study Jazz & Popular Music, at Kwazulu Natal University for three years, and had a chance to perform, with Abdulah Ibrahim known as Dollar Brand, also in the big band was Sazi Dlamini, Feya Faku, Andile Yenana, Zim Nqawana,Sthembiso, Mfana Mlambo, Concord Nkabinde and many other musicians from all over Azania.. In 1993 moved to the UK and studied with Bheki Mseleku and Nomvula Ndlazilwane, some spiritual practice and meditation in London for two years, and it was a serious experience. I was hoping to play music everyday, but it was just chanting and spirituality everyday. Moved to New York in 1995, now being based in United States, especially New York City this platform gives one a chance to work with people, from different cutural backgrounds and life styles for example- I have been working with some reggae artist like Tampi Hill (Jamaica), Next Step Caribean Islands , Cedric Im Brooks from Jamaica (Ethiopia), Afrobeat masters like Oluko Imo, of Fela and Egybt 80, & One Africa band. Kaleta Leon Legan Majeck (Benin), Akoya Afrobeat (Africa,Asia,USA), Azuka of Africa(Nigeria), Emperor Adichie(Nigeria), Majeck Fasheck(Nigeria) JoJo K ( Egybt 80) and many other West African artist. Bantu Dubjazz project have been performing around New York City, and also working in the studio to create and record our future music, which will be released in the near future of 2008/09. Bantu dub a new force of sound !!! Members come from around the planet and now based in Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens. Yes, New York"The Dead End City"!!!
