Don Laka - Biography
Don Laka was born in 1958 near Pretoria in Mamelodi, the first child in a family of five. In 1969 he formed his first band and made his first recording
in 1972, which featured Ray Phiri on guitar.
The only SA Jazz musician to achieve 3 platinum and 2 gold records
In 1978 he started formal music lessons, obtaining his licentiate in high school music teaching in 1979. From 1980 to 1981 he joined the afro-fusion
group Sakhile, that was formed by Sipho Gumede and Khaya Mahlangu. The group revolutionized South African jazz music, and set a trend for
groups like Bayete.
Don recorded his first big hit with the group Umoja which was called ‘Oneness’, before moving to form his own band with ‘Chicco’ Twala, called
‘Image’. The group lasted for 10 years. In the 10 years they have recorded no less than 12LP’s, and in 1986 they were spotted by one of the top
producers in the world, Tony Visconti, who has produced 10 of David Bowie’s albums, Paul McCartney T Rex, Moody Blues and one of the classic
songs of our time “I HATE MONDAYS”.
During the same period Don ventured into recording solo LP;s and producing other artists. His songs and piano playing proved to be popular with
other musicians, who then asked if he could write, produce or perform on their records. Brenda Fassie is one artist who has performed some of
Don’s music.
He appeared on most of Sankomota’s albums as a string and keyboard arranger. 1990 was another turning point in his career. He started writing
big orchestral arrangements for Sibongile Khumalo, who performed with the National Symphony Orchestra of South Africa. In 1991 he also
collaborated with Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Rebecca Malope.
His career blossomed further by producing and performing with artists such as Ray Phiri (Graceland guitarist)and Sipho Mabuse. He is now
regarded as one of South Africa’s premier producers, having produced for Mango Groove, Sharon Dee and Johnny Clegg (Savuka)amongst
others.
Don started a Record Company together with a friend Oscar Mdlongwa called Kalawa Records. This is a truly first successful black record company
in South Africa, which recorded, produced and marketed their own product without the help of any major label. They started selling records from
the boot of their cars and formed a bigger structure.
Kalawa have achieved unprecedented success and are responsible for much of the new music that has changed the country's youth today -
notably with the top selling group Boom Shaka.
He now heads a new label that specializes in jazz and world music called Bokone Music also known as the home of Kwaai Jazz.He also owns high
tech studios called Lakdon Studios,where he records most of the hit records.
The label has recorded artists like Jef Maluleke,Loading Zone,Palesa,Ladies in Jazz ,Labantu,Kaya Mahlangu and many innovative music
In 2006 don released the most ambitious double Cd,INVITATION which featured SA’s cream of the crop like,Judith Sephuma,Gloria Bosma,Paul
Hanmer,Kalawa Crew,Zonke,Black Coffee,Revolution,Skwattta Kemp and many more
Don sat on a panel together with Hugh Masekela and Mzwakhe Mbuli that submitted a draft on South African (Local Music Content) Quota to the
Independent Broadcasting Authority in November 1994 and was one of the speakers regarding the issue on Quality and Standard of South Africa
Don is currently the chairman of South African Music Hub and a board member of The National Heritage Council.
Certificates
Royal Schools of Music….Grade 8 -Theory of music (1979)
Licentiate in High school music teaching-1980
R.E.C.School of Audio and Music Production (USA Ohio) Recording Engineer and Music Production (2005
R.E.C.School of Audio and Music Production (USA Ohio) Advance Recording and Music Production (2005)
AUDIO PRO-WORKSHOPS-(GERMANY) Internal Mixing and Mastering (2007)
HONORARIES
Lifetime Achievement Award-1997 (Mamelodi Community)
Life-long Contribution Award-2007(Pallo Jordan-SA MUSIC HEROES
CONCERT)
SARRAL Best Composer Award-2002
HI-LITE PERFOMANCES
1995 1st Standard Bank Joy of Jazz – Moretele Park
1998 Ronny Scotts – London
2003 September – (Billed with Spyro Gyro, Kirk Whalum & Regina Belle)
2004 Chile national Tour(South America)
2004 September – (Billed with Earl Klugh & Michael Franks)
2004 October – (Billed with David Sanborn)
2004 December – (Billed with Keiko Matsui)
Plus tours of UK, Europe, Russia exc...
ACHIEVEMENTS
The only African Jazz musician to achieve 3 platinum records sales and 2 gold sales status.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
The following were produced or have worked with Don Laka
All award winning SA musicians
HUGH MASEKELA
BLACK MAMBAZO
BRENDA FASSIE
JONHY CLEGG
MANGO GROOVE
BONGO MUFFIN
JEFF MALULEKE
PALESA
OUPA MAKHUBELA
SIPHO MABUSE
MAFIKIZOLO
RAY PHIRI
JUDITH SEPHUMA
GLORIA BOSMAN
MAX MTAMBO
B.O.P
THREE TENORS
SKWATTA KEMP
REVOLUTION
PAUL HANMER
SAMKOMOTA
KHAYA MAHLANGU
SIPHO GUMEDE
MCCOY MRUBATA
BARRY SNYMAN
CONCORD NKABIDE
KUNLE
THEBE
ZONKE
THANDISWA MAZWAI
LUNGISWA
Don Laka was born in 1958 near Pretoria in Mamelodi, the first child in a family of five. In 1969 he formed his first band and made his first recording
in 1972, which featured Ray Phiri on guitar.
The only SA Jazz musician to achieve 3 platinum and 2 gold records
In 1978 he started formal music lessons, obtaining his licentiate in high school music teaching in 1979. From 1980 to 1981 he joined the afro-fusion
group Sakhile, that was formed by Sipho Gumede and Khaya Mahlangu. The group revolutionized South African jazz music, and set a trend for
groups like Bayete.
Don recorded his first big hit with the group Umoja which was called ‘Oneness’, before moving to form his own band with ‘Chicco’ Twala, called
‘Image’. The group lasted for 10 years. In the 10 years they have recorded no less than 12LP’s, and in 1986 they were spotted by one of the top
producers in the world, Tony Visconti, who has produced 10 of David Bowie’s albums, Paul McCartney T Rex, Moody Blues and one of the classic
songs of our time “I HATE MONDAYS”.
During the same period Don ventured into recording solo LP;s and producing other artists. His songs and piano playing proved to be popular with
other musicians, who then asked if he could write, produce or perform on their records. Brenda Fassie is one artist who has performed some of
Don’s music.
He appeared on most of Sankomota’s albums as a string and keyboard arranger. 1990 was another turning point in his career. He started writing
big orchestral arrangements for Sibongile Khumalo, who performed with the National Symphony Orchestra of South Africa. In 1991 he also
collaborated with Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Rebecca Malope.
His career blossomed further by producing and performing with artists such as Ray Phiri (Graceland guitarist)and Sipho Mabuse. He is now
regarded as one of South Africa’s premier producers, having produced for Mango Groove, Sharon Dee and Johnny Clegg (Savuka)amongst
others.
Don started a Record Company together with a friend Oscar Mdlongwa called Kalawa Records. This is a truly first successful black record company
in South Africa, which recorded, produced and marketed their own product without the help of any major label. They started selling records from
the boot of their cars and formed a bigger structure.
Kalawa have achieved unprecedented success and are responsible for much of the new music that has changed the country's youth today -
notably with the top selling group Boom Shaka.
He now heads a new label that specializes in jazz and world music called Bokone Music also known as the home of Kwaai Jazz.He also owns high
tech studios called Lakdon Studios,where he records most of the hit records.
The label has recorded artists like Jef Maluleke,Loading Zone,Palesa,Ladies in Jazz ,Labantu,Kaya Mahlangu and many innovative music
In 2006 don released the most ambitious double Cd,INVITATION which featured SA’s cream of the crop like,Judith Sephuma,Gloria Bosma,Paul
Hanmer,Kalawa Crew,Zonke,Black Coffee,Revolution,Skwattta Kemp and many more
Don sat on a panel together with Hugh Masekela and Mzwakhe Mbuli that submitted a draft on South African (Local Music Content) Quota to the
Independent Broadcasting Authority in November 1994 and was one of the speakers regarding the issue on Quality and Standard of South Africa
Don is currently the chairman of South African Music Hub and a board member of The National Heritage Council.
Certificates
Royal Schools of Music….Grade 8 -Theory of music (1979)
Licentiate in High school music teaching-1980
R.E.C.School of Audio and Music Production (USA Ohio) Recording Engineer and Music Production (2005
R.E.C.School of Audio and Music Production (USA Ohio) Advance Recording and Music Production (2005)
AUDIO PRO-WORKSHOPS-(GERMANY) Internal Mixing and Mastering (2007)
HONORARIES
Lifetime Achievement Award-1997 (Mamelodi Community)
Life-long Contribution Award-2007(Pallo Jordan-SA MUSIC HEROES
CONCERT)
SARRAL Best Composer Award-2002
HI-LITE PERFOMANCES
1995 1st Standard Bank Joy of Jazz – Moretele Park
1998 Ronny Scotts – London
2003 September – (Billed with Spyro Gyro, Kirk Whalum & Regina Belle)
2004 Chile national Tour(South America)
2004 September – (Billed with Earl Klugh & Michael Franks)
2004 October – (Billed with David Sanborn)
2004 December – (Billed with Keiko Matsui)
Plus tours of UK, Europe, Russia exc...
ACHIEVEMENTS
The only African Jazz musician to achieve 3 platinum records sales and 2 gold sales status.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
The following were produced or have worked with Don Laka
All award winning SA musicians
HUGH MASEKELA
BLACK MAMBAZO
BRENDA FASSIE
JONHY CLEGG
MANGO GROOVE
BONGO MUFFIN
JEFF MALULEKE
PALESA
OUPA MAKHUBELA
SIPHO MABUSE
MAFIKIZOLO
RAY PHIRI
JUDITH SEPHUMA
GLORIA BOSMAN
MAX MTAMBO
B.O.P
THREE TENORS
SKWATTA KEMP
REVOLUTION
PAUL HANMER
SAMKOMOTA
KHAYA MAHLANGU
SIPHO GUMEDE
MCCOY MRUBATA
BARRY SNYMAN
CONCORD NKABIDE
KUNLE
THEBE
ZONKE
THANDISWA MAZWAI
LUNGISWA
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