Biography
Ratau Mike Makhalemele ranks among South Africa's foremost saxophonists in the estimation of many observers. He began his professional career in the late 1960s and achieved his broadest recognition through membership in the Drive, the ensemble he co-founded with Henry Sithole during the 1970s. As a session musician held in high regard, he has recorded with Champion Jack Dupree, Joe Henderson, Curtis Mayfield, and Clarence Carter. Beyond his contribution to Paul Simon's Graceland, Makhalemele joined Simon, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and Miriam Makeba on tour throughout 1987 and 1988. Born to a preacher, he names the American jazz figures Dexter Gordon, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, and Joe Henderson among his key inspirations, yet the South African saxophonist Kippie Moeketsi exerted the strongest influence of all. In a recent stage production mounted at Johannesburg's Civic Theater, Makhalemele portrayed Moeketsi himself. The saxophonist's first solo release, Thabang, appeared in 1990, while his later album Searching For The Truth earned the FNB South African Music Award (SAMA) for Best Traditional Jazz Peformance in 2000.
Albums
