User:Silinganiso/sandbox

Names: Victor Mhleli,Ntoni

Born: 1947, Langa, Western Province (now Western Cape)

Died: 28 January 2013, Johannesburg, Gauteng

In summary: jazz bassist, composer and arranger

Victor Mhleli Ntoni was born in Langa 1947,Western Cape formerly known as Western province. With his Mother as a local singer and his Uncle as an aspirant pianist, Victor was bound to become a world celebrated musician. Bass was his chosen instrument although He also played guitar and sang very well. As a self-taught musician, his very first band was the Uptown Sextet and He kept on until an opportunity of working with an American Pianist Darius Brubeck came in 1976. As Victor and Darius continued working together and an introduction by Jarre,Darius assisted Victor to enrol in to Berklee School of Music Boston.Ntoni toured the United States of America,Thailand and Europe with Brubeck’s son, Darius, and their band, Afro-Cool Concept. Victor Ntoni was a composer and arranger for many South African music greats,just to name a few; Hugh Masekela's popular hit "Nomalizo", He also composed for Abdullah Ibrahim, Ringo Madlingozi, the South African Freedom Singers and the Victor Ntoni Big Band.He taught at the Mmabana Cultural Centre in the North West Province,In 2006 He pioneered a musical tribute to Oliver Tambo which later continued to play at state theatre(2010).Ntoni had only one solo album, “Heritage”, which was released in 2004. It was nominated for a South African Music Award for “Best Contemporary Jazz Album”. Victor Ntoni passed away in a Johannesburg hospital on the 28th of January 2013.

reffereces •SABC, "Jazz legend Victor Ntoni dies"From: Sabc, [online] Available at: www.sabc.co.za [Accessed on 30 January 2013] • Ansell G., "Soweto Blues: Jazz, Popular Music, and Politics in South Africa ",Continuum Plublishers, New York. London, pp 320 [online] Available at: books.google.co.za [Accessed on 30 January 2013] • Sapa, "Jazzhttps: //www.dac.gov.za/content/mzansi-sings-tribute-oliver-tambo