Sipho gumede biography samples

Sipho Gumede was born in Cato Manor, Durban. His earliest musical memory is of playing guitar and pennywhistle. The guitar was homemade: a 5 gallon tin, wood and fish gut.

He and his friends would play the tunes of Spokes Mashiyane, Zakes Nkosi and Lemmy "Special" Mabaso.

At the age of 12, Sipho went to stay on a farm some 30kms from Umlazi.

Sipho gumede biography samples pdf

He was exposed to many different kinds of music - vocal and soulful traditions, the music of weddings and funerals. After school each day, he'd pass the time watching cattle practicing on a borrowed guitar.This period was crucial in the formation of Sipho's musical outlook.

Sipho returned to Umlazi at the age of 16 and met the late great jazz guitarist, Cyril Magubane who introduced him to the music of Wes Montgomery and the world of jazz.

He also met Dick Khoza and landed his first professional job as a member of the Jazz Revellers, switching from guitar to bass.

In 1970 Sipho headed for Johannesburg, arriving in a