Cover
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GWI GWI AND HIS GWIGZAS
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TRACK LISTING
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ARTISTS
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NOTESMany thanks to Christopher Ballantine at the School of Music, University of KwaZulu-Natal for allowing me to photograph his collection. Search and listen to the Ballantine Collection at SAMAP. Benny “Gwigwi” Mrwebi was the circulation manager at Drum magazine in Johannesburg. (Shaderburg) Notably, he also led the legendary Harlem Swingsters in the early 1950s. Though in Ntemi Piliso’s obituary in City Press, Taai Shomang is also said to have led the group. (Molefe) This large fourteen-piece big band hailed from Alexandra and established itself as the leading group in South Africa in the 1940s. At times it also included Gray Mbau, Todd Matshikiza, Gideon Nxumalo, Ntemi Piliso as well as Kippie Moeketsi for a brief period in the late 1940s before he moved onto the Shanty Town Sextet in 1950. (Coplan) Between 1954 and 1956 Troubadour issued at least four discs by Gwi Gwi and his Gwigzas (though there were probably more). According to Rob Allingham this group was an eight or nine piece band led by Mrwebi. The personnel on AFC 320 included Michael Xaba, Gray Mbau, Dugmore “Darkie” Slinger and possibly Boycie Gwele. (Allingham) In November 1958 Mrwebi recorded at least four tracks with the Jazz Dazzlers who, essentially were the Shanty Town Septet. Some of their recordings can be heard on the CD Township Swing Jazz Vol. 1. The Jazz Dazzlers, along with Mrwebi on alto sax, included Kippie Moeketsi, Mackay Davashe, Kleintjie Rubushe, Dugmore “Darkie” Slinger, Sol Klaaste, General Duze, Jacob Lepere and Willie Malang. Subsequently, with the inclusion of Jonas Gwangwa and Hugh Masekela, this group would form the core of the band backing the iconic King Kong musical. This new configuration recorded again as the Jazz Dazzlers in 1959. And by 1960 the group put out at least two discs as Gwigwi and his Jazz Rascals on Gallo’s USA label. When the King Kong musical toured London in 1961 Mrwebi travelled with the cast and decided to remain in the UK after the production ended. While in the UK he hooked up with fellow South Africans—Dudu Pukwana, Chris McGregor, Ronnie Beer—and recorded the highly sought after LP Kwela with Gwigwi’s Band issued in 1967 on Doug Dobell’s 77 Records. In 1970 Mrwebi won a grant to study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. The grant was awarded by Chisa Productions headed by his former Jazz Dazzlers partner, Hugh Masekela. (Billboard) Sadly, Mrwebi died of a heart attack in Boston in 1973. (Shaderburg) |
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