Jimmy Dludlu

Jimmy Dludlu is a Mozambican jazz musician.

Early life

Dudludlu grew up in Mozambique, South Africa,Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe and started playing guitar at 13 years old when he taught himself with a homemade guitar. His style encompasses a wide range of influences, combining both traditional and modern elements of jazz, inspired by Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Pat Metheny to South African heroes such as Miriam Makeba, Letta Mbulu, Hugh Masekela, Themba Mokwena and Allen Kwela, among others. Dludlu is particularly fond of the sounds of West and Central Africa, as well as Latin America, but states that jazz remains his favorite. His many original compositions fall into the tradition that can be loosely classified as Afro-jazz.
Jimmy Dludlu's debut album, Echoes from the Past, was released in September 1997 to widespread critical acclaim.The album earned Jimmy two FNB SAMA Awards for "Best Newcomer" and "Best Contemporary Jazz Album" in 1998, and sales figures in January 1999 indicated sales of over 250,000 records.The album has since been released by the Verve Records label in nine countries, including the United States, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden and Hungary.