mpumi dhlamini band

Based in Johannesburg

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There is no doubt that Mpumi Dhlamini is a rare talent that will elevate South African music on a global scale and one that is here to stay for a long time.  The release of his debut album heralded the public appearance of a gifted young artist on the South African jazz scene.

His SAMA and Metro FM Awards nominated debut album, titled COMBINED ELEMENTS, is astonishingly accomplished for a 22-year-old – providing a platform for Dhlamini’s song-writing, arranging, playing, performing and producing talents, all of which have been recognized by his appearance at The Old Mutual Encounters Series 2008, playing alongside award winning artist Lira on several occasions, with 340ml at the 2009 Cape Town International Jazz Festival and several appearances on TV programmes, including SABC2’s popular Morning Live show and Afro Café.

Among the musicians weighing in with contributions on this album are Fana Zulu (bass), Victor Masondo (guitar), Carlo Mombelli (fretless bass), Adam Howard (trumpet), Vusi Khumalo (drums), Justin Holcroft (tenor sax) – and that’s just for starters.

Dhlamini plays accordion, piano, sitar, trombone, sax and the Rhodes keyboard and more.  When Dhlamini says “I like challenges” you know that he means it.  It was when he was told that he should stick to being a vocalist, during his schooling, that he was spurred to learn his first instrument – the piano.  “Everyone said that I wasn’t going to be able to play the piano because I’m a singer, but people mustn’t tell me what I can or can not do because it just makes me even more determined.”

At the time he was attending the Drakensberg Boys Choir – and when he left to attend the National School of the Arts in Johannesburg, Dhlamini extended his range by very rapidly picking up several instruments including saxophone, orchestral percussion and more.  He now plays 11 instruments and also has passed his Grade 7 in opera studies.

That was just a handful of years ago – and Dhlamini has proved everyone wrong by recording an album that keeps his vocal talents under wraps, instead turning the spotlight on his producer, songwriting and playing gifts.

Dhlamini credits the Drakensberg Boys Choir with teaching him the discipline required to create an album such as his debut CD.  He also decided, early on, that composing was going to be the most important driving force in his life. “It’s the only way to learn and I knew instantly that creating music that other people can also play is something really special.”

List of Events and Venues where Mpumi Dhlamini has performed:
The Blues Room – Sandton
SABC2 Morning Live
ETV Sunrise
2008 Oppi Koppi Medumo Festival
2009 Cape Town International Jazz Festival (with 340ml)
Currently playing with Lira

What is being said about him:

“It is… not often that talent that could be elevated into the stratosphere on the road to genius comes along.  In my humble opinion Mpumi Dhlamini is one such rising star.”
Eric Alan, Radio 2000 FM

“I love it when my first reaction to an album is to get goosebumps… because more than anything, it sounds like the music the artist wanted to make.  Every track is a gem…”
City Press Pulse Magazine

“That boy is something else, he is very talented.”
Fana Zulu, renowned bass guitarist

“…COMBINED ELEMENTS will make those who are serious about good sounds listen attentively and ask, ‘WHO is this?’… This album deserves to be in your CD collection if you are serious about South African music.”
Ayanda Billie, NUMSA