Elias and His Zig-Zag Jive Flutes

[1] Jack Lerole was only in his early teens when he and Elias started playing penny whistle.

Ramosa and Nkabinde joined them, and they developed a unique sound: Unlike earlier kwela groups, they incorporated guitar and vocal harmony.

[2] In 1956, the four were signed to EMI South Africa by the label's "black music" record producer, Rupert Bopape.

They developed vocal as well as instrumental routines, and Lerole began singing in a deep, rasping voice.

Chris du Plessis's documentary film The Whistlers revived popular interest in kwela in the 1990s.