Louis Mhlanga

Multi-award winning Zimbabwean-born guitarist Louis Mhlanga is one of the most esteemed guitar players in Southern Africa, who during the course of his extensive career, has worked, collaborated and recorded with a number of internationally accomplished musicians. These include Stef Bos, Sipho "Hotstix” Mabuse, Hugh Masekela, Ray Phiri, Busi Mhlongo, Caiphus Semenya, Letta Mbuli, Jonas Gwangwa, Sibongile Khumalo, Thandi Klaassen, Paul Hanmer, King Sunny Ade and Vusi Mahlasela, to name but a few.

Louis started playing the guitar at the age of 10, laying down licks from the likes of Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and other mainstream rock artists from the late sixties and early seventies. Further to these influences, Louis also studied both the Southern and West African Guitar traditions intensively. He incorporated the traditional Mbira (thumb piano) patterns of the Shona people into his unique modern electric guitar style.

This idiosyncratic virtuoso's unique playing style, delicate singing voice and great compositional skills have taken him and his guitar across the world. He has performed at major festivals like The Sunsplash in Austria, Music Metisses in France, Rudelstadt in Germany, Masa in Ivory Coast, Dranoufer in Belgium, Tribute concert for Lady Di in England, and Stranger than Paranoia and Mundial in The Netherlands, to name a few.

Louis' work is included on an album called “Place of Hope”, which features collaborations with George Duke, James Ingram, Al Jarreau, Diane Reeves amongst many others. His playing can also be heard on Andy Narell’s ”Fire in the Engine Room” album, and ‘Live in SA’ following his South African tour.  Apart from the collaboration albums, Louis has also recorded some great work under his own name - his first solo album “Mukai” (2000) and a self-titled album with “Music Ye Afrika” (2001), received high acclaim and really established him in the South African market. The SAMA Nominated “Tinganekwane” (stories) (2004) saw more of Louis' African style, with a revisiting of traditional patterns and flavours from Zimbabwe interspersed with his usual surprises. “Keeping the Dream” (2004) saw another collaborative acoustic based album with Dutch bassist Eric van der Westen, also featuring the talent of masterful world music guitarist Habib Koite.

'The Louis Mhlanga Band’ came into being in 2001, featuring formidable local Jazz music heavyweights Andile Yenana (keys), Denny Lalouette (bass), Sello Montwedi (drums) and Basi Mahlasela (percussion). They were invited by SAFM to perform a recorded concert during the 2001 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, resulting in the release of “Shamwari”, Louis’ first album on the Sheer Sound Label. This album went on to win him much critical acclaim and public support.

Musik ye Afrika, another concept/band, is the brainchild of Louis and his long-time friend and colleague, Jimi Indi. Mid-2003 saw the release of their second album, “United We Stand”. A tribute to the high esteem that his fellow musicians have for him, was evident from the calibre of artists who agreed to give their time to go into studio with Louis and Musik ye Afrika – artists like Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, Busi Mhlongo, Chiwoniso Maraire, Marcus Wyatt, Bushy Seatlholo and Sydney Mnisi, amongst others. An album of wide scope and compositions, “United We Stand” is a journey through many styles, sounds and experiences of the Continent.