When I first heard this man playing his bass guitar , I was blown away at how he just turns a simple song into a very groovy tune. He has become a role model to up and coming bass players particularly church bass players. The will be always a challenge one has to face when being in the public eye and Bheka is one brother who does not entertain bad things said about him, his work says it all. I had a more personal encounter with Bheka during the preparations for the JOY OF JAZZ and this was the day I got to hear who and what his capable of doing. Before the one on one here is a little history about Mr Mthethwa.
Bheka Mthethwa, born 1986 in Empangeni, Northern KwaZulu Natal in South
Africa, began his musical journey at a very young age in the village of
KwaMthethwa where he grew up. Growing up in a musical and Christian family, a
young boy always surrounded by singing voices and music being a daily meal.
Bheka drew a lot of inspiration from that background. The music passion grew
from strength to strength as he started crafting his artificial four-string
guitar learning from an old man next door. He learned to play 3 chords from
that guitar, tuned up in Maskandi style. While other young boys in the village
went to play hide ‘n sick, Bheka would play his guitar and composing songs on
his level at that time. Few years later after his primary school level, he left
the village to live in Esikhawini Township by his aunt. He then began to learn
and play keyboards at church being taught by his elder brother. Bheka’s musical
thinking started to take shape and big dreams ruled his mind since then.
By age 15 he had
developed a great interest in Bass Guitar and started teaching himself by
listening to Gospel music and R&B recordings. He joined a teenage band which
was formed by Ketsa Dlamini in Esikhawini where Bheka played bass guitar and where
Siyanqoba Mthethwa (Joyous Celebration musical director) was a pianist. There
were two matured bassists in the township to which Bheka was looking up;
Thabang Moshoeshoe and Sabelo Masondo (former Joyous Celebration bassist). Very
soon Bheka’s involvement in church music together with his friends grew in
leaps and bounds.
A few years later after
his matric, Bheka moved to the city of Durban to study Information Technology
as his first choice which was pursuing Music as a career wasn’t well received
at home. Bheka always carried his bass guitar wherever he went and made sure
that he practiced after his IT lectures. Bheka mingled with friends who were
studying Music fulltime and captured some technical aspects of Music and that
enriched his vocab as he continued to seek information. Very soon Bheka became
the talk of the city and became one of the best and looked up to bassists in
town as he started having some gigs. Bheka’s word was spread widely and
everyone in the city wanted to work with him.
Mthethwa met up with the
artists like Nqubeko Mbatha who further spread the word and highly recommended
him to other prominent artists. Joyous Celebration principals got to know Bheka
from then and the relationship was created. In no time Bheka was part of Joyous
Celebration.
In pursuit for deeper
knowledge and experience, Mthethwa has attended the annual Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Festival - Grahamstown, South
Africa’s highly recognized project in developing young Jazz musicians. Mthethwa
also worked and performed with the University of KwaZulu Natal Students’ Band
at the SAJE (South African Jazz
Education) Conference.
Bheka has now become a
nationally in-demand and highly influential session Bass Guitarist, as well as
a successful Composer & Arranger.
The
number of Artists & Projects Bheka Mthethwa has been involved with is too
numerous to list. Some of these include, Sibongile Khumalo, Joyous
Celebration, Khaya Mthethwa, Ernie Smith, Judith Sephuma, Jabu Hlongwane,
Mthunzi Namba, Ntokozo Mbambo, Nqubeko Mbatha, Siphokazi, Brenda Mntambo, Swazi
Dlamini,Tshepo Mngoma, Nhlanhla Nciza (of Mafikizolo), Lucas
Senyatso, Lebo Elle Tisane, and many
more.
Other
recent national projects that have used Bheka’s services as Bass Guitarist are:
Metro FM Awards (2011); theANC 100 Years Celebration Centenary
Event (2012); Sports Awards (2012)& the SABC National Television Gospel Music
Talent Search – “I want to sing Gospel”
and Gospel Classics.
Some of
the recordings that Bheka features in include:
-
Joyous Celebration - “Volume 15”(DVD & CD)
- “Volume 16” (DVD & CD)
- “Volume 17” (DVD & CD)
-
Ernie Smith - “Blessed Man” (CD)
- Jabu Hlongwane - “Vuma Moya Wami” (CD)
- “Cross
Power Experience II” (DVD & CD)
-
Mthunzi Namba - “Mercy”
(CD)
- Brenda Mntambo -“Inspired”
-
SABC - “I Want To Sing Gospel I
and II” (DVD & CD)
-
Swazi Dlamini -
“Songs and Psalms” (DVD & CD)
-
“Full Circle” (CD)
- Judith Sephuma -“The Experience”
(CD&DVD)
-
Tshepo Mngoma - “People and Places” (CD)
- Sifiso
Khanyile - “Music is Everywhere” (CD)
- Somizi - “9 Lives My Genesis” (CD)
- Dominion -
“UJehov’ukhona” (CD&DVD)
Mthethwa
is endorsing Yamaha TRB Bass guitars and Mark Bass Amps.
Bheka
Mthethwa has achieved so much yet he feels there is so much more to pursue. Not
only is he focusing on being a successful Performing Artist but hopes to
further develop his skills as a Composer, Producer and a Music Educator through
conducting Workshops and Clinics as he travels with different projects.
BHEKA ON A PERSONAL LEVEL
Digging deep in Bheka’s life and some of the things we do
not know about him.
When I am not working I take a chance to really unwind because
sometimes work can get significantly hectic. I get to chill at home watch
movies, read a book and cook a decent meal (it gets too busy he lives on take away).
I do a lot of bowling or take long walks around my hood or the park; this is
part of my relaxation routine. My personal favourite is going to places where
they play live music and hear how other musicians play and most definitely draw
some inspiration from them.
Favourite Bass player
Honestly I do not have that one specific bassist that I
would call my favourite, there are a several guys who excite me and they all
differ with genres and musical taste. I am not just a bass player but I’m a
musician who listens to all kinds of music in order to grow my vocab and that keeps me exposed to
different styles that I like. These are the few guys I look up to, Bra Fana Zulu, he keeps re- inventing his
style and his always been my favourite. I draw inspiration from guys like
Sabelo Masondo, Vuyo Manyike, and Qhubhekani Mthethwa that is just here at
home. Overseas the very first bassist that caught my attention and fell in love
with his playing is Toney Russell from John P Kee’s “ Not Guilty” album and he has been my
favourite contemporary gospel bass player till this day. Ranging from jazz to
circular music I favour, Hadrien Feruad, Alain Caron, Richard Bona, Anthony
Jackson and Victor Wooten. I really find it hard to have one specific favourite
because I do not box myself as a bassist; variety is good for me because it
allows me to interpret music in different aspects.
Creativity for the bass
My creativity comes natural and it being natural it helps me
a lot to create unique groove patterns but it is mainly the effect of listening
to different music flavours. Every musician needs a reference point in order to
interpret the music accordingly. I do not get bored to sit on a groove till the
end of a song because I always ensure that I create an interesting enough
groove pattern to be an” impro” on it’s own.
Second love besides bass guitar.
Piano would be the one, it holds the harmonic foundation of
the music. It gives direction to the song and it does not go off tune. (Laughs)
My experience at Joyous Celebration
Joyous exposed me to a whole new production world. This is
one of the most infamous opportunities to be on such a big professional and
international standard stage. A true learning institution of music, we express
different cultures through music across all language barriers. You get to be
taught all the technical that is involved in making music, from arranging a
song and playing a specific role that adds value to the growth of production
through your instrument or vocals. This is a true gymnastic programme where you
keep the same momentum while you play more than forty songs and your memory
gets sharpened, you play each and every detailed arrangement of each of the
songs more than forty songs. We taught patience when dealing with a crew of
about fifty people if not more, dealing with attitudes while creating awareness
that it is not all about you but the overall production. You get free publicity
that spreads your name across the boarders even abroad. Joyous Celebration is
one of those institutions that everyone needs to snatch with both hands when
given a chance.
The concept Supernal Sounds
This is a concept close to my heart; here I extend my gospel
oriented proclivities by incorporating different styles of music jazz, Latin, Afro,
Spanish, Classic, Rock and other world music flavours. The concept where I get to preach the gospel the way I
know best, portraying another side of God, by creating Supernal, Heavenly,
Devine celestial sounds of bass fervently invented and highly transcribed and copied
by all bassists and musicians generally worldwide. I will be singing for the
first time professionally and playing bass and that is a package of the show.
One other purpose of the show is to tell my history through
music, I feature guest artist who are people I have worked with in the music
industry. The list being Sibongile Khumalo, Judith Sephuma, Khaya Mthethwa, Mbuso
Khoza and the guy who bought the very first bass I owned Khetsa Dlamini. I will
also be doing an instrumental feature that involves Siyanqoba Mthethwa, Sabelo
Masondo and Sabu Satsha.
My show will be graced by a great band and a real great privilege
to be backed by my little brother Qhubekani Mthethwa on 2nd bass,
Lungelo Ngcobo on 1st keys,
Bheki Mthembu on 2nd keys and the inimitable Bafana Sukwini
on drums. That is the main band; I branch out beyond my instrumental and bass
guitar by including vocals in my music. Nomthandazo Sishi and Lwazi Dlamini on soprano, Thando
Maphalala and Hloni Mohlala on alto then Thokozani Thubane and Nathi Maphalala
on tenor , I must admit it sounds really great and I am happy.
I arrange and direct my music but as I collaborate with
great and creative musicians I allow them a chance to suggest and express
themselves in music. I believe in the eclectic output of the overall
production. The musicians involved in this production are adding value with their
different tastes and priorities, music is amazing that way.
My plan next year is to release an album but I am still deep
in thought and praying hard about it, so there will be proper audio and video
tracking just in case an opportunity arises I will be ready.
Future Plans for Bheks
From here I want to profile myself and brand Bheka Mthethwa
as a music entity, artist and a versatile bassist as well as Supernal Sounds as
a selling concept and I grow in independence you know be out there on the road,
mapping every African’s route from the past to the future through the sounds of
bass. The gift does not belong home only but worldwide.
I will do a couple of clinics next year as part of my growth
and groom up and coming young talent out there.
As Bheka Mthethwa brand grows I pray that BMSeries basses
will be released, but it is just a matter of time.
Food for thought
Music is a journey, just like every phase of life. You have
battles to fight and win; you have discouraging voices but know your stand, vision
and dream. Run away from arrivals status; do not be deceived by your peers and
small groups of people around you. You are not better than anyone and you have
to learn from everyone. As bass players learn and understand the basic roles of
the bass which are rhythmic and harmonic foundation. Keep the root note and
nice lowest sounding pitch of the chords. Do not be all over the music don’t
try hard to shine when the spotlight is not on you. Wait for your chance. Keep the
groove pattern going until everyone sings in. Keep the music locked and well
driven. Most importantly keep practising.
