There is always this one actuality we always fail to spot as music lovers, looking at an artist and his or her music and say “what a great musician or what a great album” forgetting that the album is also made a success by both the artist and musicians behind him or her. My attention was caught by Thembinkosi Manqele one of the most recommended tenors in the music industry. This is a mission I took upon myself to go back and research about this young man and find out what makes him so good. In building my own opinion I did not interview him, I collected all the tracks or albums where he was backing to try get the feel of his flair. It is my pleasure to write about Thembinkosi Manqele.
The first
clip I found was a recording of a rehearsal two years back where Thembinkosi
was backing Sindi Nene, it was not gospel but hey I was on a mission so for the
first research it will do. Sindi had only two backers of which were both male
and guess what, Thembinkosi was singing the high pitch part. Excitingly wanted
to hear how strong his voice was so I pumped up the volume on my head set. One
would ask how I knew he had the high pitch, well in the clip, there was a
little break where they were fixing the backing so yeah that’s how I knew his
part. Alright that was that now time to move on to the next clip and songs.
This one was
going to be interesting, Thembinkosi backing Uche, have seen Uche live so I think
his musical arrangements are a bit complex so this would really give me a feel
of the tenor being tested. First and foremost Thembinkosi has a mellow voice, the
type of voice that is so enliven, like he just had a “smoothies” to make it so
sweet. He maintains his volume so well even when the song goes up to the next
modulation. I got goose bumps listening to this virtuous voice, its “common yet
rare” the type you actually find only in those who studied music. Now I’m getting
excited and moving on to the next songs.
Hold on
Thembinkosi is Sipho Manqele’s younger brother, I’m sure his big brother had
played a role in Thembinkosi getting into the music industry. Well I was curious so I had to find out how all this
began, picked up my phone and started asking around if anybody knows where this
young man comes from and how did he get to where he is now. After a lot of
asking around I have found out that Thembinkosi comes from a singing family and
to top it off his dad is a pastor back home in KZN, which means this started at
an early age for him, no formal singing education what so ever, this is a God
given talent which was polished along the way. Another great revelation I got
is that this brilliant singer is also a drummer! Question to musicians, most
drummers are good singers, where are the pianists, bass players and guitarists?
Salute. His first break was given to him by his friend Sizwe Magwaza, who actually
brought him to Johannesburg from KZN to try out his singing up here. Can
somebody please hook me up with Sizwe Magwaza? he seems to have helped a lot of
singers. Really would love to get into singing.
Recently saw
the gospel classics and Thembinkosi has been backing there for the past two
seasons, and his held it down quite well. As we see different artist being
guests and backing them, this show Thembinkosi’s flexibility and how easly he
can adopt to different styles of singing ranging from traditional to jazz,
urban and gospel RnB. The more styles
you can sing the more jobs you get, this is evidently a talented young man and
he deserves much credit.
Than shortly
after that I saw him with Dominion, doing backing vocals for them, and I still
say this man is going far with his singing, even though it’s a group effort he
still stands out. Then there was backing for Ntokozo Mbambo, yes he was there
and yet along with the other two guys the tenor held it down well. The one show
he really stood out for me was doing backing for Nqubeko Mbatha along with his
brother Sipho Manqele, what a great duo those two make, making it look so easy
and actually make you want to do it. Found myself with a spoon backing with
them, really was a bundle of joy to listening to the brothers.
Not all of
us will be in the fore front, and some of us are born to carry out a vision
than leading it. Thembinkosi’s attitude is the same to every job he does,
forever smiling and making everybody laugh with his eyes set on the goal. We need
to celebrate such people since they make sure we get the best for the money we
spend going to shows. Ladies and Gentlemen Thembinkosi Manqele.
