Music Instrument Builder. Composer/Performer. Artist

Grew up in Namakwaland and Cape Town, South Africa.

Now lives in  Toscana, Italy.

Phillip Nangle is a musician and instrument builder of traditional Southern African musical instruments. He specialises in mbiras, xylophones, bows, overtone flute and traditional violin. Phillip worked in the nine years leading up to the end of apartheid in South Africa as a cultural leader in music/dance/drama performances and workshops which brought together separated youth in a dynamic and creative expression of their hope and vision for the future.

Phillip co-workshopped and performed in the cross-cultural Abamanyani show, (Grahamstown Festival 1st Fringe Award 1987), directed the music and performed in Isegazini, (Festival 2nd Fringe Award 1988), directed the music for Third World Bunfights’ production “The Prophet”, (Festival 1st Award 1998). He worked with leaders of Cape Town marimba and dance groups to create the Kwangoma Orchestra of traditional Southern African instruments. He co-initiated and directed the We Create Our Future Trust multi-cultural rural youth project which hosted Africa’s first “Peace Child” and won the Captrust Award for the best cultural and environmental education centre.

Phillip has performed with Derek Gripper, Munkie Ncapayi, Syd Kitchen, Pedro espi Sanchez, Steve Newman, Greg Giorgados, Kholeho Mosala, David Tomsu, Ayanda Holo and Chris Tokalon. He currently lives in Italy and is a teacher, instrument builder, artist and farmer.