Erik Paliani (born 6 September 1975) is a Malawian guitarist, producer, and songwriter. He is best known for his work with singer Zamajobe Sithole, trumpeter
Hugh Masekela
Hugh Ramapolo Masekela (4 April 1939 – 23 January 2018) was a South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, singer and composer who was described as "the father of South African jazz". Masekela was known for his jazz compositions and for ...
, and guitarist
Lee Ritenour
Lee Mack Ritenour ( ; born January 11, 1952) is an American jazz guitarist who has been active since the late 1960s.
Biography
Ritenour was born on January 11, 1952, in Los Angeles, California, United States. At the age of eight he started play ...
.
Early life
Paliani was born in
Blantyre, Malawi
Blantyre () is Malawi's centre of finance and commerce, and its second largest city, with an enumerated 800,264 inhabitants . It is sometimes referred to as the commercial and industrial capital of Malawi as opposed to the political capital, Li ...
. He began his musical training as a child under the guidance of his father, Richard Howard Paliani, a magistrate by profession, but an avid guitar player as well.
As a young boy and still attending Primary School at Saint Kizito Primary School (1980-1989) Erik Paliani was already a member of two of his father's band Concepts, the Jess Connection and Paliani Progression. During this period Paliani toyed around the ukulele, Keyboards and Bass guitar. In 1992 he graduated from Phwezi Secondary School in Rumphi, Malawi and went on to complete his tertiary education at
Harare Polytechnic
Harare Polytechnic College, formerly Salisbury Polytechnic and commonly referred to as Harare Polytechnic, is a technical, public research university in Causeway, Harare. The university is known for its strength in science and engineering, and is ...
in
Harare, Zimbabwe
Harare (; formerly Salisbury ) is the capital and most populous city of Zimbabwe. The city proper has an area of 940 km2 (371 mi2) and a population of 2.12 million in the 2012 census and an estimated 3.12 million in its metropolitan ...
. Shortly after returning to
Malawi
Malawi (; or aláwi Tumbuka: ''Malaŵi''), officially the Republic of Malawi, is a landlocked country in Southeastern Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the west, Tanzania to the north and northeast ...
he joined the Afro-fusion group Acacias Band (not to be confused with the similarly named British band
Acacia
''Acacia'', commonly known as the wattles or acacias, is a large genus of shrubs and trees in the subfamily Mimosoideae of the pea family Fabaceae. Initially, it comprised a group of plant species native to Africa and Australasia. The genus na ...
). The band achieved substantial notoriety throughout
Malawi
Malawi (; or aláwi Tumbuka: ''Malaŵi''), officially the Republic of Malawi, is a landlocked country in Southeastern Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the west, Tanzania to the north and northeast ...
and recorded two successful albums. Paliani credits his tenure with the Acacias Band for providing the foundation for his success internationally. Other notable solo artists to come out of this band include
Ben Mankhamba (
Ben Michael) and
Chris Kele.
Career
During the latter half of 1998 and continuing into 1999, Paliani began traveling to Johannesburg, South Africa for musical engagements, and by the year 2000 he had permanently relocated there. While establishing himself in the Johannesburg music scene he joined the bands of Reverend Benjamin Dube, jazz bassist Musa Manzini and pianist Themba Mkhize.
It was during this time that he met singer Zamajobe Sithole a member of Reverend Dube's choir. Paliani played a key role as guitarist and producer on Zamajobe's 2004 debut album ''Ndawo Yami'' (Sony BMG Music Entertainment/Giant Steps) for which he was nominated a
SAMA award in the category Best Joint Composition. In 2006 Paliani appeared in the film ''Catch a Fire'' playing the role of a jazz guitarist.
That same year he recorded on three tracks for
Lee Ritenour
Lee Mack Ritenour ( ; born January 11, 1952) is an American jazz guitarist who has been active since the late 1960s.
Biography
Ritenour was born on January 11, 1952, in Los Angeles, California, United States. At the age of eight he started play ...
's album ''Smoke 'n' Mirrors'' (Peak Records). Beginning in 2008 he produced several album including ''iSiGiDiMi'' for
Xhosa
Xhosa may refer to:
* Xhosa people, a nation, and ethnic group, who live in south-central and southeasterly region of South Africa
* Xhosa language, one of the 11 official languages of South Africa, principally spoken by the Xhosa people
See als ...
guitarist Mavo Solomon, Zamajobe's second album ''Ndoni Yamanzi'', and then in 2009
Hugh Masekela
Hugh Ramapolo Masekela (4 April 1939 – 23 January 2018) was a South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, singer and composer who was described as "the father of South African jazz". Masekela was known for his jazz compositions and for ...
's album ''
Phola''. In 2010, he released his first solo album entitled ''Chitukutuku'' which also earned him critical acclaim including another
SAMA nomination.
In 2011, Paliani moved to Polokwane, a city in the Northern Province of South Africa. In Polokwane he collaborated with the Limpopo Arts and Culture Association and taught guitar to young guitarists. He also took time to study more Jazz and polish up Producing skills. Yet, he still remained relevant to the Johannesburg musical scene, performing and producing mildly.
In 2014, Paliani briefly toured with the Jamaican legendary duo Sly and Robbie in Johannesburg.
In 2018, he launched the first International Jazz festival in Malawi, The Lilongwe International Jazz Festival.
Paliani has also established a recording Studio and Music Studying Centre in Mchinji, Malawi.
Discography
As bandleader
* ''Chitukutuku'' 2010 (Giant Steps)
As producer and/or songwriter
* ''w/ Zamajobe'' : ''Ndawo Yami'' 2004 (Giant Steps), ''Ndoni Yamanzi'' 2008 (Giant Steps)
* ''w/ Mavo Solomon'' : ''iSiGiDiMi'' 2008 (Maverik Sounds)
* ''w/ Hugh Masekela'' : ''Phola'' 2009 (Four-Quarters Ent)
As sideman and/or songwriter
* ''w/ Lee Ritenour'' : ''Smoke 'n' Mirrors'' 2006 (Peak)
As a Band Member (Highlights)
Hugh Masekela (Musical Director/ Guitarist)
Themba Mkhize (Guitarist)
Musa Manzini (Guitarist)
Zamajobe (Musical Director/Guitarist)
Sly and Robbie (Guitarist)
References
External links
Artist profile on Malawi-music.comFeatured segment on PRIUrban Life interviewSony Music Africa featured artist
{{DEFAULTSORT:Paliani, Erik
Jazz guitarists
21st-century Malawian male singers
Living people
1975 births
21st-century guitarists
Harare Polytechnic alumni