Bheki Khoza - Live At Queens

Bheki Khoza is a celebrated South African jazz guitarist, composer, producer, and music educator whose soulful artistry bridges cultural heritage with modern innovation. Born and raised in Umlazi, Durban, he developed his musical voice through family gatherings, community celebrations, and the ancestral sounds of KwaZulu-Natal. Introduced to traditional instruments by his grandmother, Khoza’s organic musical upbringing fostered an emotive, storytelling approach to the guitar, later shaped by his unique left-handed playing style and deep connection to Zulu traditions.

In 1991, Khoza’s talent earned him a scholarship to study under jazz legend Jackie McLean at the University of Hartford in the U.S. Immersed in the heart of American jazz, he performed at venues like the Blue Note and Smalls and shared stages with greats such as Kenny Barron, Cecil McBee, and Larry Ridley. This international experience broadened his artistry, allowing him to absorb African American jazz influences while staying rooted in his South African identity.

Returning home in the mid-1990s, Khoza became a leading voice in the post-apartheid South African jazz renaissance. His debut album Asambe (1996) and later works like Getting to Heaven Alive (2006) showcased both melodic sophistication and cultural depth, the latter earning a SAMA for Best Instrumental Jazz Album. He has collaborated widely with icons such as Hugh Masekela, Sibongile Khumalo, Simphiwe Dana, and the African Jazz Pioneers, and contributed to acclaimed film scores including Sophiatown (2003) and Drum (2004).

Beyond performance, Khoza has been a dedicated music educator since the 1980s, teaching at institutions including Wits University, the University of Natal, Funda Arts Centre, and now Stellenbosch University as an artist-in-residence. Affectionately known as the “Jazz Priest of Durban,” he continues to mentor young musicians while inspiring audiences around the world. His music serves as a living archive of South Africa’s cultural heartbeat—an ongoing dialogue between past and future, tradition and innovation, carried through the expressive voice of his guitar.