Bhudaza Mapefane (born 23 September 1961) is a Lesotho-born jazz musician and pianist.
Early life.
Bhudaza was born in Hlotse, Mankoaneng in the Leribe District, Lesotho. His appreciation for jazz music started at a young age while listening to his father’s large jazz collection. At the age of 21, he met Mark Gorman who was an economist at the Lesotho National Development Corporation. He gave him his first piano lessons at Victoria Hotel, In 1985 Bhudaza explored his skills by doing his first professional performance at Victoria Hotel and Maseru Casino Hotel with Jazz Combo;,a quintet made up of David Mochoko Mapefane (his late older brother and mentor), Peter Rakhomo, Tau Malebo and Mpho Manoto.
In 1987 he enrolled at Mmabana Cultural Centre in Mmabatho, North West, to further his jazz piano lessons under the Molobye brothers—Peter and Labane. In 1988 he received saxophone lessons from American reedman, Rene McLean from the aforementioned centre. After graduating in 1989, Bhudaza then joined Sankomota as a pianist, where subsequently switched to a saxophone.
Career.
Sankomota was composed of musicians such as Tsepo Tshola and guitarist/bandleader, Frank Moki Leepa. He performed at Unity 91 Homecoming Concert which was headed by Caiphus Semenya and organized for the exiled artists. In 1992 ,after Tsepo Tshola parted ways with Frank Leepa, Bhudaza joined "The Village Pope" and in 1994 they recorded and released an album titled Let’s Hold Hands. In the same year Mapefane broadened his skills and experience when he joined Lucky Dube. They toured Namibia, South Africa, Cthe Comoros Islands, and Uganda. After six months with the reggae star, Bhudaza formed a band called Corner Stone Jazz. In 1995 and 1996 it was the resident band at Lesotho Sun Hotel.
Bhudaza enrolled at the Federated Union of Black Artists (FUBA) for a jazz course and between 1997 and 2000 he studied jazz at the University of Cape Town. During this time included playing and touring with the Sunshine Band, the most popular ensemble in the region at the time boasting gifted musicians such as drummer Phillip Meintjies. After graduating with a diploma in jazz studies he was called in to join Talima Jazz Band which formed part of the Lesotho monarch, King Letsie III’s entourage to Germany’s Hanover Expo in 2000. The following year he formed Bhudaza & Friends and went solo in 2003 to record his debut, Bo Mapefane.
Produced by Frank Leepa, it was released in South Africa under the Universal Music Group label and immediately achieved multi-platinum status. His successive albums were also very successful in terms of sales and accolades. His third album, "Likhomo" scooped a SAMA in the best adult contemporary album in 2010. He was named the Vodacom Superstar Music Dance Competition for 2012 Icon; where he coached and trained aspiring musicians in the mountain kingdom. He was awarded an honorary award by the Ultimate Radio Music Awards for flying the Afro jazz flag high in the music industry globally.
Discography.
• Bo-Mapefane (Universal, 2003).
• Mohokare (Universal, 2006).
• Likhomo (Universal, 2009).