Jesse Mogale is a South African bassist, composer and educator, born into a musical working class family. His father, a South African Transnet Railways worker, and his mother, a domestic worker and harpist, raised Jesse and his brother in an environment rich with indigenous and multicultural traditional music. Inspired by his guitarist brother, and later by his mentor, the late South African bassist Ernest “Shololo” Mothle, Mogale picked up electric bass in 1978, and later upright bass in 2008. 

Originally destined to be a chemist in the gold refining industry around Johannesburg after graduating from the University of Witwatersrand, Jesse left the mining industry to pursue music full time. In addition to working on his own music, Jesse soon co-founded the CAFCA youth music education institute in Pretoria with his brother Moss Mogale, and has been active with the International Society of Bassists, through which he has connected to the teachings of bass legends like Rufus Reid, Ron Carter, Paul Ellison, and more. 

Jesse has performed extensively at major festivals and concert theaters internationally across Africa and Europe, including performances with artists such as Kippie Moeketsi, Barney Rachabane, Bheki Mseleku, Allen Kwela, Zim Nqawana, George Lee, Vusi Mahlasela, and more. 

Jesse is currently touring his latest album, 2022’s “Heritage From An African Continent,” globally, with a septet of his South African musicians. 

Join us tonight for Jesse Mogale’s New Orleans debut here at Snug Harbor, featuring:
Daisy Mangwato - vocals
Ezekiel Megalane – trumpet, flugal horn
Nthabiseng Mokoena – saxophone
Tshepo Monareng – piano
Moss Mogale - guitar
Jesse Mogale - bass
Bucco Xaba – drums

*Presented in partnership with Damon Batiste and the New Orleans - South Africa Connection, Inc (NOSACONN).