Bayete

The rhythms of South Africa are fused with the improvisation and dynamics of jazz by Soweto-born multi-instrumentalist and vocalist <a href="spotify:artist:14pAu5JI8kVOY4XQq8riuB">Jabu Khanyile</a> and his eight-piece band, Bayete. Although they went through a major personnel upheaval in 1993, with only <a href="spotify:artist:14pAu5JI8kVOY4XQq8riuB">Khanyile</a> remaining, Bayete continues to be one of the most respected bands in South African music. In 1994, the title track of their album MmaloWe received a South African Music Award as Song of the Year and led to <a href="spotify:artist:14pAu5JI8kVOY4XQq8riuB">Khanyile</a> being named Best Male Performer and Thapelo Kgome, who backed <a href="spotify:artist:2CvCyf1gEVhI0mX6aFXmVI">Paul Simon</a> on the album Graceland, named Best Producer.

The son of a playboy father and a mother who died when he was in his teens, <a href="spotify:artist:14pAu5JI8kVOY4XQq8riuB">Khanyile</a> has found a refuge in music. Inspired by his father's love of music and the mbube songs that his father sang during weekly impromptu a cappella sessions, <a href="spotify:artist:14pAu5JI8kVOY4XQq8riuB">Khanyile</a> taught himself to play guitar and drums. Leaving school at the age of 14 to work in a bottling plant, <a href="spotify:artist:14pAu5JI8kVOY4XQq8riuB">Khanyile</a> soon gravitated towards music, joining his older brother's band, the Editions. When several members resigned, a few months later, <a href="spotify:artist:14pAu5JI8kVOY4XQq8riuB">Khanyile</a> restructured the band with new musicians. The Editions' exciting sound soon made them one of the top bands in Soweto. By the time that they signed a record contract and were preparing for their recording debut, several members had gone into exile and <a href="spotify:artist:14pAu5JI8kVOY4XQq8riuB">Khanyile</a> was forced to reorganize the group for the second time. The Editions' debut single, "Izinvembezi (My Tears)," became a major success, selling more than 150,000 copies in South Africa.

The band's success proved short-lived, however, as they disbanded shortly before recording their second album. Forced to find another group, Bayete joined the Movers. Although their first single, "Inhlonipho," was a hit, internal struggles led <a href="spotify:artist:14pAu5JI8kVOY4XQq8riuB">Khanyile</a> to leave the band. Forming his own band, Bayete, <a href="spotify:artist:14pAu5JI8kVOY4XQq8riuB">Khanyile</a> continued to make his presence felt, releasing the band's first album, Mbombela, in 1987, and their second album, Harayeng Haye, featuring the anthemic hit, "Mbube," three years later. ~ Craig Harris, Rovi