West Nkosi

The passing of West Nkosi in October 1998, after injuries from an automobile accident, deprived South Africa of one of its most influential figures in music. A skilled performer on pennywhistle and alto saxophone as well as an accomplished record producer, Nkosi had already shaped the early-’60s achievements of Spokes Mashiyane and His All Star Flutes through his instrumental work, yet his most enduring contributions came behind the recording console. He guided internationally distributed releases by Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens while also supervising sessions for Abofane Base Ohudeni, Patience Afrika, Mpharanyane With the Cannibals Featuring Ray Phiri and Mnca Mtshali, Amaswazi Emvelo, Shoe Laces, Moses Mchunu, O'Yaba, Mfaz' Omnyama, Phuzekhemisi, Joe Mafela, and Johnny Mokholi. Shortly after his death, Neil Greenberg of the Gallo label observed, "Every twist of Nkosi's rather erratic and splendid process through life and music has been earmarked by a succession of extraordinary and innovative albums produced for various groups."

Nkosi entered the profession in the late-’50s as a member of the kwela ensemble the Pretoria Tower Boys. After moving to Johannesburg he was asked to join the acclaimed Spokes Mashiyane and His All Star Flutes. As interest in pennywhistle music declined he purchased a secondhand saxophone using wages earned as a domestic worker. The versatile session musician soon collaborated closely with producer Rupert Bopape, and together they developed the tougher variant of kwela known as mbaqanga. When Bopape reassembled Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens in 1984, Nkosi was enlisted to produce the group. Three years later he accompanied Paul Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo on tour.