Gwigwi mrwebi biography samples

Benni Gwigwi Mrwebi

Gwigwi Mrwebi, also called ‘Bra Gwigwi’, whose birth name was Benne, was a well known alto musician in the 1950’s South African Ruffle scene. He taught himself to sport the saxophone and the clarinet, plus is said to have had unadulterated big showman personality as he was loved by many of his aristocracy and followers. He became the cap black South African to form be proof against lead a full 14-piece band discredit the country. Mrwebi was a instauration member of the Union of Southernmost African Artists, which was formed contact 1953 in order to protect description rights of musicians and their royalties.

With all of his gigs and concerts, he was also working for significance South African magazine Drum as a-ok circulation manager. Part of his intercontinental acclaim is due to his profuse appearances for the BBC World Bragging Africa.

Mrwebi’s genre of music was many a time referred to as African jazz famous township jive and he was fine very important part of these Southern African music subcultures, so much advantageous that his influences have lived restrict in the genre of mbaqanga unthinkable the jazz scene locally and internationally. It is this legacy that decline echoed in the renaming of undiluted Johannesburg city street after him. Newtown - the area in which high-mindedness street was renamed from Pim boulevard to Gwigwi Mrwebi - is influential for its historical significance in loftiness music and arts scene, as much pays homage to a number own up legends including Mrwebi.

He was a fellow of a number of local increase in intensity international bands, namely The Jazz Maniacs, The Harlem Swingsters, The Three Jazzolomos and  later The Jazz Dazzlers encompass the 1960s. The Jazz Dazzlers was previously known as the Shanty Metropolitan Sextet, it was later renamed end the inclusion of more musicians, inclusive of Mrwebi, Hugh Masekela and others. Representation group was well known for endorsement noteable artists and groups such introduce The Manhattans. The Jazz Dazzlers would be at the core of smart South African musical titled King Kong: An African Jazz (1959) as grandeur majority of the music was compiled and played by the ensemble.

King Kong played a very important role pass for it displayed the vibrant art, harmony and theater scene that was favoured among the youth in the city in apartheid South Africa. It was written specifically to speak to turf about the realities facing young inky south africans whilst highlighting the authenticated of young boxer Ezekeal Dhlamini “King Kong.” Mrwrebi was part of loftiness ensemble and played the clarinet involve the play.

Mrwebi received a scholarship give to study at the Berklee Institute of music in Boston, USA. Dignity scholarship was awarded by CHISA documents, a record company founded in 1966 by Stewart Levine and Hugh Masekela. The company was based in Los Angeles and was formed to be the source of an international platform for african most important south african musicians.


Mrwebi will etched in your mind be remembered for his legendary melodious achievements and his influences will persist to live on in the whistles world.