MOSES MOLELEKWA: The Gift lives On..!

Bo Molelekwa:

Last night I watch Moshe Molelekwa on TV tapping and poking piano keys with such tenderness that made me wonder if those keys moved before the actual contact, it seems there was some soul connection that created a synergy and telepathic understanding between his might and the willingness of the Instrument.  

 The piano giggled at his therapeutic massages, it soared as it felt his finger prints on its antique canvas sketching tangible dream and germinating seeds planted in Tembisa.  His whole body quivered from the tremor and trance like melodic state of consciousness, his movement was not in tune with the music, there was no rhythm to it as he was lost in his own amusement cave where the only prevailing light was darkness and only musical notes ignited the fire in his veins. He had a subtle smile that would briefly surface as the piano succumbed to his mighty touch followed by the swinging and nodding of a head.

He was humming as he was playing at times, squeezing unspoken words out of piano notes as he whispered poetic chants to the sleeping ears.  At times he gazed at the far space like a man in a voyage straining his eyes to see his destination after long journey.   

The audience fell into a drunken stupor as they realise the presence of a divinity throwing black and white bones telling untold stories, preaching from hidden verses beyond revelations, words coming not from his tongue but from the very arteries of his heart. Who can decode the language of the birds when they converse with the wind?

Like all great men his was never alone in his moments of glory, Afrika was there. He summoned three great musicians to share his gift and decorate the moment. Khaya Mahlangu on sax and flute, he was the interpreter and the translator, whatever the young master articulated about Biko’s dream through the spirits of Tembisa it was transformed to musical lingo by Khaya Mahlangu. Fana Zulu on Bass was like a shoestring, he kept the band tight and filled all the missing words. On drums, Sello Montwedi, his chemistry with the band was obvious; he conducted the gathering from the behind like a good shepherd tapping softly the eardrums of those near and far away.

This unit can easily pass as an all-star band of my generation, to have witnessed this young lion perform and breath through this instrument is a moment to be cherished and revered. Moses Taiwa Molelekwa composed many great songs, made this Jazz genre accessible to young people and inspired a whole generation of young aspiring musicians.

The gift lives on!!!

Fin de Siecel Festival in Nantes France.

featuring Khaya Mahlangu , Fana Zulu and Sello Montwedi.   

1997