Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Manhattan Brothers

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Active from
  
1946

Genre
  
World

Manhattan Brothers The Manhattan Brothers doowop

Members
  
Miriam Makeba, Kippie Moeketsi, Joe Mogotsi

Albums
  
The Very Best of the Manhattan Brothers

Record labels
  
Rhino Entertainment, Mile End, Supreme Media, Master Classics Records, Top Tracks, Diamond Days

Similar
  
Todd Matshikiza, Hugh Masekela, Spokes Mashiyane, Bongi Makeba, Dolly Rathebe

Manhattan brothers vuka vuka south africa


The Manhattan Brothers was a popular South African singing group in the 1940s and 1950s, during the Apartheid era. Their sound drew on American ragtime, jive, swing, doo-wop, and several other jazz strains, as well as African choral and Zulu harmonies. Members of the group included Joe Mogotsi, Ronnie Sehume, Rufus Khoza, the late Nathan Mdledle, and Miriam Makeba. Makeba, who went on to international fame, started her career with The Manhattan Brothers and was part of the group for much of the 1950s. The group had one US Billboard pop chart hit, "Lovely Lies", which peaked at #45 in March 1956.

Contents

Manhattan Brothers The Manhattan Brothers doowop

Joe Mogotsi died on 19 May 2011 in Johannesburg, following a long illness.

A lovely lies manhattan brothers with miriam makeba london 1610 1956 wmv


Early years

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During the late '90s a young group of talented rural Afro Jazz musicians from around Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, with the approval of Miriam Makeba and Joe Mogotsi, formed a tribute band called Junior Manhattan Brothers (JMB), a group of young stars who continued the civil rights activism begun by their predecessors.

Manhattan Brothers Manhattan Brothers WamiWami Gallotone GB1277 1951 YouTube

Led by well respected Afro Jazz local legend Nkosinathi (Nathi) Hadebe, the group consisted at various times, of four to six "vibrant and awesomely talented" members, including Vusumuzi (Vusi) Madondo, Lindokuhle (Ndo) Makathini, Fanizile (Jeffrey) Nzuza, Bongani Mabaso, Lungisani Mhlongo, Thabo Motsamai — and following the passing of two founding members, reformed in 2012 to "take a stand" in memory of their mentors and beloved former members bringing in new members to compliment the existing lineup.

Style of music

Manhattan Brothers Miriam Makeba With The Manhattan Brothers Lovely Lies YouTube

Blending traditional, gospel, Afro Jazz, jive, doo-wop, swing ragtime and any other musical genre they could incorporate, with or without musical accompaniment they are able to collectively bring the house down in seconds. The JMB were also instrumental in the artistic and musical aspects of the local movie starring Taye Diggs, Drum (2004).

Manhattan Brothers Manhattan Brothers Amazw39amndi Gallotone 1277 1951 YouTube

Contractual restrictions were cited as being a constant barrier between the JMB and worldwide success, with extensive interest from promoters in the US and Australia. And to date, vandalism of their intellectual property continues. This has not damped their spirits, nor will it stop them from upholding their promises to Ms Makeba and both Nathi and Vusi.

Manhattan Brothers Manhattan Brothers 6 May 1956 South African History Online

In between JMB performances and their collective years with Soweto Gospel Choir/Iphi Ntombi, the JMB performed for, and with, the remaining members of the original Manhattan Brothers outfit and just prior to the passing of Joe Mogotsi, the JMB were hallmarked for greatness and international acclaim. Nathi began his memoirs just prior to his death and a biography and biopic are planned in the near future.

Songs

Jikela EmaweniBest Of Manhattan Brothers · 1999
Baby NtsoareBest Of Manhattan Brothers · 1999
Vuka VukaBest Of Manhattan Brothers · 1999

References

Manhattan Brothers Wikipedia