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Mogauwane Mahloele
was born in Storomo and raised in Mamelodi ya Tshwane, South Africa.
He was born a drummer, and learned to master his instruments through
countless hours observing, participating, practicing, rehearsing rhythms
and making the instruments to fully understand their capabilities. He
is of the BaPedi people, known for their versatility in music instrumentation.
Among Mahloele`s mentors, Tshidi, Kasi and Lefes were especially important
in impressing upon him not only technique and particular rhythms and
music, but also a deep seriousness in ethics and aesthetics of the culture,
social structure, and the history of both family and the nation. Mahloele
was born and raised under the apartheid system and worked to see it
dismantled. Theses struggles frame his music, and his soul. Mahloele
has been playing music since his days in the warmth of his mother`s
womb. His mother was a traditional dancer, and he too danced, even before
he was born. His music is traditional and traditionally inspired, and
has been his lifeblood for more than 40 years.
Mahloele is accomplished in both the crafting and playing of African
drums, stolotolo (mouth harp), dipela (kalimba), naka, flute, sekere,
kora and makhoyane (bowed instrument with gourd resonator) He is also
a sculptor, painter, actor and audio engineer. Mahloele has toured throughout
Africa, Europe and the United States as a performer and teacher. His
tours have also included exhibitions of his sculptures, paintings and
musical instruments. Incredibly versatile and creative, Mahloele is
both deeply knowledgeable about (and dedicated to) traditional music
and culture of his Azanian (South African) people, and is often exploring
new territories. He has performed and exhibited at the Clef Club, Temple
University, Beaver College, Eastern State Penitentiary and at internationally
known venues.
He has collaborated with other artists as diverse as Homer Jackson,
Khan Jamal, Odeon Pope, Don Famoudou Moye, Dudu Phukwana, Joe Malinga
and the Art Ensemble of Chicago to name a few. He is a member of the
Philadelphia Folklore Project, and has taught African Percussion domestically
and abroad in countries as far as Swaziland and cities as close as Philadelphia.
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Email, Write or Call: Mogauwane Mahloele Dikoma Aesthetics 57 Letchworth Avenue Yardley, PA 19067 USA Email: mogauwane@aol.com Telephone: (215) 321-3755 Fax: (215) 321-0399 |