SHALUZA MAX MNTAMBO


An outstandingly talented singer, composer, producer and arranger, Shaluza Max's first band, Jama was formed in 1986. Jama became a regular on the jazz circuit alongside famous South African acts Stimela, Sankomota, Tananas and Bayete before disbanding in 1988. ShaluzaMax is strongly rooted in the African and contemporary jazz traditions with a background in gospel music. His tenor voice adapts to a range of vocal expression.

He toured the world with Mbongeni Ngema's hit musical Sarafina, after 30 months in Europe, Sarafina was invited to Japan where it played to sell-out crowds. ShaluzaMax, then 20 years old, played the male lead vocalist and was also voice trainer for the group. In 1992, he left Sarafina and was lead vocalist on Sakhile's Welcome Home album. He performed at Hugh Masekela's second show in South Africa after 30 years in exile, at Sun City.

In 1992 ShaluzaMax performed all songs on the Shell Road to Fame in the song writing category. He played the lead in the opera-theatre Sacrifice of Mmabatho, which toured Off-Broadway in New York for six months. B&W record company launched the legendary Outernational Meltdown series and brought together over 40 musicians from South Africa, the US, Cuba, Brazil and the UK. ShaluzaMax composed, arranged and sang on most of the thirty tracks. Through B&W Music three South African and two British musicians formed the group Barungwa (The Messengers). Moses Molelekwa was a band member and ShaluzaMax was lead vocalist, lyricist, composer and arranger. Barungwa toured the UK, Ireland and South Africa. Their music was a fusion of Zulu, Xhosa and Pedi rhythms and London acid-jazz.

ShaluzaMax co-wrote and co-produced the soundtrack for the film Jock of the Bushveld, he sang on The Lion King and scored and produced the sound track of the full-length feature film Chikin Biznis - The Whole Story for which he was awarded an NTVA Avanti Craft Award.