South African "Straight Ahead" Jazz

[garthsj]

Hi Ubu,

I just notice that this thread had been revived .... No, sorry. I hav ereally no idea where they came from. I do wish that there were more substantial discographies of this period of South African jazz available. There couldnot have been that much recorded, and there were only a few labels. I assume that somewhere in South Africa right now work is being done on researching this phase of South African culture. I have not yet read Gwen Ansell's book, "Soweto Blues: Jazz, Popular Music and Politics in SA." Have you???

[garthsj]

Ubu,

You might find this interesting, and rather sad .... the end of an era indeed!

http://allafrica.com/stories/200501130085.html

[king ubu]

Thanks Garth. Sad story linked, indeed

And no, I didn't read that book, in fact, I haven't read any book on ZA jazz. Tell me about it when you read it, please!

[Phil Meloy]

Here's an excellent album I managed to find - Moses Taiwa Molelekwa live in Nantes. It's a live recording of his quartet performing at the Fin de siecle Festival in 1997 in a converted warehouse called Tour a Plomb. The CD includes six original tunes, most of which appear on the studio releases but as much shorter versions than when performed live on this recording. The other musicians are South Africans also - Kaya Mahlangu (tenor/sopranu/flute), Fana Zulu (bass and Sello Montwedi (drums).

Edited February 22, 2005 by Phil Meloy