Victor Mhleli Ntoni (21 June 1947 – 28 January 2013) was a South African musician, Among his notable achievements, Ntoni co-founded the Afro Cool Concept band in 1989 and received a nomination for the 2004 South African Music Awards SAMA and scored as well as arranged the music in ''The South African Songbook -- SA Folklore Music''. His best known song is the hit “Wa thula nje”. At the time of his death Ntoni had become a legend in the jazz community.

Life and work

Born in Langa,

Cape Town Cape Town is the legislature, legislative capital city, capital of South Africa. It is the country's oldest city and the seat of the Parliament of South Africa. Cape Town is the country's List of municipalities in South Africa, second-largest ...

, Ntoni grew up in the townships of Cape Town and first learned to play guitar before switching to double bass. As a teenager, he played with McCoy Mrubata in his band The Uptown sextet. He was self-taught before he received a scholarship to study at the

Berklee College of Music Berklee College of Music () is a Private university, private music college in Boston, Boston, Massachusetts. It is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known for the study of jazz and modern Music of the United ...

in Boston in 1976. As musical director of the musical ''Meropa'' Ntoni went on a European tour in 1975. Through the drummer Nelson Magwaza he met

Abdullah Ibrahim Abdullah Ibrahim (born Adolph Johannes Brand on 9 October 1934), previously known as Dollar Brand, is a South African pianist and composer. His music reflects many of the musical influences of his childhood in the multicultural port areas of Cap ...

, on whose album ''Peace'' and other recordings he was involved with between 1971 and 1979. He formed a sextet with

Kippie Moeketsi Jeremiah "Kippie" Morolong Moeketsi (27 July 1925 – 27 April 1983) was a South African jazz musician, notable as an alto saxophonist. He is sometimes referred to as "the father of South African jazz" and as "South Africa's Charlie Parker".Jürg ...

, before going to study at

Berklee School of Music Berklee College of Music () is a private music college in Boston, Massachusetts. It is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known for the study of jazz and modern American music, it also offers college-level ...

, and played with

Dudu Pukwana Mthutuzeli Dudu Pukwana (18 July 1938 – 30 June 1990) was a South African saxophonist and composer. Early years in South Africa Dudu Pukwana was born in Walmer, Port Elizabeth, Walmer Township, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. He grew up studyin ...

in 1978 ('' Diamond Express'') and in 1979 with

Hugh Masekela Hugh Ramapolo Masekela (4 April 1939 – 23 January 2018) was a South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, singer and composer who was described as "the father of South African jazz". Masekela was known for his jazz compositions and f ...

, also writing compositions including "Nomalizo". Furthermore, Ntoni worked for Mike Ratau Mkhalemele, Iconoblast and Ezra Ngcukana. In the late 1980s, Ntoni was the musical director of the Carling Circle of Jazz festival. In 1989 he founded the band Afro Cool Concept with

Darius Brubeck David Darius Brubeck (born June 14, 1947) is an American jazz pianist, author, and educator. He is the son of jazz pianist Dave Brubeck with whom he worked professionally in the 1970s, while also performing in his own bands, the Darius Brubeck Ens ...

, with whom he toured in North America, Italy and Thailand. At

Nelson Mandela Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela ( , ; born Rolihlahla Mandela; 18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013) was a South African Internal resistance to apartheid, anti-apartheid activist and politician who served as the first president of South Africa f ...

's release from prison, Ntoni wrote the song "The People Want Mandela". In the 1990s he was with Hilton Schilder, Vusi Khumalo and Khaya Mahalngu in the experimental band Iconoclast. He also played with Ringo Madlingosa. Ntoni's album ''Heritage'' (2004) received excellent reviews and was nominated in the category "Best Contemporary Jazz Album" for the South African Music Award (SAMA). He wrote and arranged the music in ''The South African Songbook -. SA Folklore Music''(National Heritage Council, 2012). In 2011, he performed his popular song, ''Thetha (Wathula Nje?)'' at Black Coffee's ''Africa Rising'' concert. This recorded performance, along with the rest of the concert, was later included on the live album of the same name. In 2014 Ntoni was awarded the

Order of Ikhamanga The Order of Ikhamanga is a South African civilian honour that recognises achievements in arts, culture, literature, music, journalism, and sports. Before the order was established on 30 November 2003, such achievements were recognised by the ...

in silver. He died following a heart attack at the Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg on 28 January 2013, survived by his wife and six children.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ntoni, Victor 1947 births 2013 deaths South African male composers South African session musicians Fingerstyle guitarists Recipients of the Order of Ikhamanga

Life and work

See also

References