Home » Jazz Musicians » Prince Bulo

Prince Bulo

Prince Bulo Prince Bulo, a musical composer, arranger, producer, educator and performing artist. He was born in Mohlakeng, a small township in Johannesburg, South Africa. Self-taught, Prince began playing piano and keyboards at an early age. He would listen to jazz and gospel recordings, and with great aptitude, play what he had heard. His music influence came largely from gospel music and contemporary African jazz. He went on to pursue his musical career and enrolled at the then Durban Institute of Technology (DIT) where he “accidently“ fell in love with and switched to bass guitar. Prince graduated 'cum laude' in Jazz Composition, Arranging and Performance from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where he is expected to obtain his Masters Degree in Composition in 2010.

He has made appearances in most of the major music festivals around South Africa including Cape Town International Jazz festival, Grahamstown Jazz festival, MTN Durban Festival, Freedom Day Arts Festival, Johannesburg Joy of Jazz, Jazz Festival, Awesome Africa, Durban, Freedom Day Festival-Limpopo, Jazz at the Lake-Qwa Qwa, Kimberly Arts Festival, as well as the Durban Blues Festival alongside greats such as Avishai Cohen, Brandford Marsalis, Joshua Redman, Jeff 'Tain' Watts, Jack DeJohnette, Danilo Perez(all USA), Zamajobe, Todd Gustafson(Norway) and also toured and performed in the USA, Canada and Sweden performing with artists such AFRIQUE, Sibongile Khumalo, Mafikizolo, Young Nations, Darius Brubeck, Neil Gonsalves, Melvin Peters, The Back Brothers and Karin Bengmark . Prince has also had the pleasure of studying under performing with John Rapson and Steve Grismore at the University of Iowa school of Music to name but a few.

He has also recorded as a studio bassist and producer for various artists and has composed and produced music for radio advertisements. He is a member of The Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Band (SBNYJB) with performances at the Grahamstown Jazz Festival, and Joy of Jazz- Johannesburg - Cape Town International Jazz Festival as well as a tour of Sweden with the SBNYJB October 2006. Prince has also performed as a jazz soloist with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra (Youth Concerts Durban City Hall). With amazing versatility Prince has made appearances on theatre productions such as: “Home-grown" “Motown on Deck “ “Dolphins by Starlight” “Let’s Hear It for the Boys" and “The Best Party Show…Ever”

PRINCE BULO PLAYS YAMAHA BASSES.

Awards

Recepient of the Samro/De Waal and Samro/Bonhams awards 2008

Gear

Custom Yamaha TRB 6PII Yamaha Silent Basses Ampeg heads and Cabinets Custom Acoustic Fretless Bass


Tags

348
Take Five With...

Take Five With Prince Bulo

Read "Take Five With Prince Bulo" reviewed by AAJ Staff


Meet Prince Bulo: Instrument(s):Bass/composer.Teachers and/or influences?Richard Bona, John Patitucci, Anders Jormin.I knew I wanted to be a musician when...I saw musicians doing their thing in church when I was a kid. I slowly taught my self to play the piano and then switch to bass when I reach university.Your sound and approach to music:My sound and approach to music include the vast ...

Read more articles
Primary Instrument

Bass

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

I am a faculty member at the University of Kwazulu-Natal Music School, Durban, South Africa.

Clinic/Workshop Information

I workshop the bass: Sound, Role, Musicianship, African bass and Rhythms as well as being just the 'Bottom Line'!

Photos

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.