About Me
Formed in 1994; through the influence of their mother, Kwela Tebza comprises of three brothers Mpho(29), Tebogo(27, and Tshepo Lerole(26). The pennywhistle being their trademark makes this band distinctly unique and one of South Africa's musical treasures. In 2000 the trio released their debut album titled 6 Faces of Dr. KwelaIn 2002 a follow up album was released The Journey co-produced by Dumi Dlamini, SAMA 8 nominee for best producer. These boys have managed to bring Kwela music back to life with The Journey. Starting the album with musical styles from the past and finishing it off with remixed Kwela / dance vibes furthermore the album features acclaimed artists such as Victor Ntoni on string bass, Vusi Khumalo on drums, and the late Allen Kwela on guitar. The journey celebrates kwela music from its natural style and moves on to mixes of Gospel and Afro Jazz.Kwela Tebza, return in 2007 with a magical new album that once again reclaims their status as the flagbearers of kwela music.Titled King Kwela, the album is the sound we become accustomed to through albums like 6 Faces of Dr. Kwela and The Journey: The Past, Present & Future but it also represents a significant move on for the group.We've been playing so much, both here at home but also internationally that our sound has grown, and matured, says Tebogo Lerole.Self-produced by the Lerole brothers, King Kwela, is the group's first release through a license deal with EMI's CCP Record Label, and the group is confident that is going to find a place in the lives of a diverse group of music fans.Listening to the album, it's difficult not to agree King Kwela sparkles with the group's skilled take on a music form that dates back to the mid-50s when it popularized by the likes of Jack Lerole, the boys' uncle and their father Elias Shamba Lerole. The song most associated with these Lerole brothers - Tom Hark - is included on King Kwela, this time in a note-for-note perfect rendition of the original, featuring Elias, which is now renamed My Tom Hark.Another highlight of the album is a recording of Mpharanyana's legendary song, Hlotse. This time around it is titled Moratowa and features vocals by none other than legendary South African comic, David Kau. David sounds just like Mpharanyana, it's uncanny, and we are really happy with the way this turned out, reveals Tshepo.For a group that is as skilled on the pennywhistle as you can get, Kwela Tebza have upped the ante on their new album by including many vocalists, giving a life to the kwela music form that brings it right into the contemporary era.We definitely see ourselves as custodians of the kwela heritage, affirms Mpho, and we kept this in mind during the recording of King Kwela's our family legacy, but also the legacy of the whole country and we are determined to keep it alive for many years.
