Ernest Mothle

Ernest "Shololo" Mothle (2 December 1942 – 2 May 2011) was a South African jazz musician (performing on double bass, electric bass and vocals) and composer.

Life and work

He attended St. Peter's College in Rosettenville, Johannesburg, listening to music happening all around him in the bustling township. After briefly dreaming of playing the clarinet or saxophone (taking up the latter in his teens due to fooling around), he discovered his voice in music after turning to double bass.

As a result, Mothle began playing with various musicians active in his home area of Tshwane.

By 1962, Mothle had become an accomplished jazz musician, performing on Alf Herbert's African Jazz and Variety Show and with musicians and singers such as Barney Rachabane, Johnny Mekoa, Tete Mbambisa, Pat Matshikiza, Winston Mankunku Ngozi, Abigail Kubeka, Thandi Klaasen and Busi Mhlongo. In 1969, he was involved in the recording of the LP Armitage Road at Heshoo Beshoo Group with Henry Sithole.

Apartheid was a very serious matter to Mothle. As a result, he performed with the Jazz Gene Apartheid Project in Germany led by Makaya Ntshoko and John Tchicai. Another memorable event Mothle performed at was Nelson Mandela's 70th Birthday Concert at Wembley Stadium along with his friends Masekala and Gwanga.

Discography 1982: Songs to Remember, Scritti Politti