Donald Mahwetša Laka (born 15 December 1958 in Mamelodi, Pretoria), professionally known as Don Laka, is a South African jazz musician, songwriter and music producer, as well as the founder of "kwaai-jazz".[1][2]
Laka finished studying at the Royal Academy of Music with Grade 8 in classical guitar, but restrictions under the Apartheid regime kept him from enrolling at the Pretoria Conservatoire.[3] In 1969 he went on to form his first band, and recorded for the first time in 1972 with featured Ray Phiri on guitar. After finishing 12th grade in 1978, he undertook formal training, eventually obtaining his license to teach music in high school in 1979.[4] From 1980 to 1981 he joined the afro-fusion group Sakhile, formed by Sipho Gumede and Khaya Mahlangu, which revolutionised South African music and set the scene for groups like Bayete.[2] Don recorded his first major release with a group called "Oneness" before moving on to form his own band with Sello Twala, called Ymage. In their ten years together, they recorded approximately 12 LPs which led to their 1986 meeting with producer Tony Visconti, who produced ten of David Bowie's albums, as well as works by Paul McCartney, T Rex and The Moody Blues.[1]
During that time, the likes of Brenda Fassie would become interested in Don's style, who would then ask if he could write, produce or perform on their records. Don also co-launched the record label that was to become Kalawa Jazmee, initially selling records from the boot of their cars before evolving to form a bigger structure.[2] Kalawa Jazmee was one of the first successful black-owned record companies in South Africa.[1] He also appeared on most of Sankomota's albums as a string and keyboard arranger, and in 1990 started writing larger orchestral arrangements for Sibongile Khumalo, who performed with the National Symphony Orchestra (South Africa). In 1991 he went on to collaborate with South African vocal legends Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Rebecca Malope.[1]
In 2013, Don Laka received a Grammy nomination for Best World Music CD for producing Hugh Masekela's Jabulani in 2013.[5]
^ abcCite error: The named reference music.org.za was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ abc"SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC". music.org.za. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
^"Award-winning Don Laka to bring his kwai-jazz to #CTIJF2019". iol.co.za. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
^"Don Laka". Discogs. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
^"Award-winning Don Laka to bring his kwai-jazz to #CTIJF2019". iol.co.za. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
Donald Mahwetša Laka (born 15 December 1958 in Mamelodi, Pretoria), professionally known as DonLaka, is a South African jazz musician, songwriter and...
manufacturing this group, an early version of Boom Shaka, DonLaka helped form the genre of kwaito. DonLaka handpicked the members of the group to achieve the...
Kalawa in 1992 by Christos Katsaitis, DonLaka and DJ Oskido and took its name from the first two letters of Don & Christos respective surnames Wa was...
Shaka in 1994 at the age of 17, after she caught the eye of music producer DonLaka at a club in Johannesburg. She was well known for her dyed blonde hair...
parklands on the corner of Maphalla Drive and Tsamaya Avenue. Daniel Mudau DonLaka Edward Motale Fortunate Mafeta Phaka George Lebese Leraro Kgoatle Naledi...
Kalawa Jazmee Records Founder Oskido Christos Katsaitis DonLaka Genre Kwaito, house music, afropop Country of origin South Africa Location Johannesburg...
music producer Ladysmith Black Mambazo (born 1960), isicathamiya group DonLaka, jazz musician, pianist, producer Robert Lange (born 1948), music producer...
which he has worked with artists from other music genres, these include DonLaka, Moses Molelekwa, Bra Hugh Masikela, Vicky Vilakazi and Hashi Elimhlopheh...
semi-finals round. She did, however, catch the eye of musician and producer DonLaka, who arranged to include her in a project he was working on. She also began...
version that the chorus lyrics were changed to, "Boom shaka lakalaka." "Boom Shaka LakaLaka", a 1970 reggae song by Hopeton Lewis, also covered by UB40...
30 & 31 March Marcus Miller, Mal Waldron, Zuco 103, Sibongile Khumalo, DonLaka, Bill Bruford Earthworks 2002 30 & 31 March Spyro Gyra, Ahmad Jamal, Toots...
Africa-Netherlands), Aryan Kaganof, 2003. featuring Zola, TKZee, Oskido, Mzambiya, DonLaka and Mandoza Mhlambi, Thokozani. 'Kwaitofabulous': The study of a South...
Sun City Super Bowl 7th SAMA 5 April 2001 Selaelo Selota Miriam Makeba DonLaka Bayete and Jabu Khanyile Sandton Convention Centre 8th SAMA 13 April 2002...
director and author 27 October – Jonathan Shapiro, cartoonist 15 December – DonLaka, jazz musician, songwriter, producer. Most well known for being the co-founder...
Original version No. Title Writer(s) Length 1. "Eat a Mango" Claire Johnston, DonLaka, John Leyden 4:02 2. "No Problem" Claire Johnston, Mduduzi Magwaza 2:37...
John Goldsby, American upright bassist, bandleader, and composer. 15 – DonLaka, South African pianist, songwriter, and producer. 16 – Erna Yuzbashyan...
David Finck, David Hazeltine, David Newton, Deirdre Cartwright, Don Byron, DonLaka, Ellen Sandweiss, Erna Yuzbashyan, Frans Bak, Gabriel Fliflet, Gar...
The archaeological site of Shum Laka is the most prominent rockshelter site in the Grasslands region of the Laka Valley, northwest Cameroon. Occupations...
also popularly known for his character Tiger in the hit TV serial Shaka Laka Boom Boom. He also sang and wrote an album called Asli Loin Mix along with...
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