SUPERNAL SOUNDS BY BHEKA MTHETHWA

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 2^nd bass, Lungelo Ngcobo on 1^st keys,  Bheki Mthembu on 2^nd 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.