Sean Bergin & Friends - Amsterdam 2001 (feat. Misha Mengelberg, Han Bennink, Louis Moholo, Ernst Reijseger a.m.o.)

Here's the next in the lose series of South African (and related) posts. Saxophonist Sean Bergin was born in Durban in 1948 and has found his musical home in Amsterdam. He's been active since the mid seventies, and has led and founded various bands and projects, including M.O.B. (My Own Band), which includes among others, Han Bennink, Tobias Delius, Eric Boeren, Wolter Wierbos, Tristan Honsinger, and Mary Oliver. M.O.B. is informed both by the infectuous grooves of Cape jazz as well as by Dutch improvised music.

In addition to M.O.B., you get to hear the Engelbewaarder Kwartet, a band that plays a weekly Sunday afternoon jam-session at café De Engelbewaarder (Kloveniersburgwal 59) in Amsterdam, whenever Bergin's in town.

Opening the party are a pair of duets with cellist Ernst Reijseger (ain't that a treat, having him AND Honsinger both in one package?).

In between, there is the JC Tans Orchestra feat. Boeren and Breuker alumnus Boy Raaymakers on trumpets, Wierbos, as well as Jan Cees Tans and Daniele d'Agaron on tenor sax.
Bergin takes a break here, but he's back with Louis Moholo's quartet, with Claude Deppa on trumpet, and George Wolfaardt on bass. (Moholo was featured here before in various settings, do a search!)
Then, we're treated to three duets by the great Misha Mengelberg and Han Bennink!

And finally, the curtain opens for M.O.B., Bergin's terrific band! Just look at that line-up, can't be half-bad, can it?



VPRO Boy Edgar Prijs
Sean Bergin & Guests

with Misha Mengelberg, Han Bennink, my own band, Ernst Reijseger,
Engelbewaarder Kwartet, JC Tans Orchestra, Louis Moholo Kwartet

Amsterdam (NL), Bimhuis - January 23, 2001


CD1/72:24

Bergin/Reijseger Duo (11:18)
Sean Bergin (ts), Ernst Reijseger (vc)
1. unknown (6:15)
2. Ann > unknown (5:02)

Engelbewaarder Kwartet (24:05)
Paul Stocker (sax), Sean Bergin (sax), Jacko Schoonderwoerd (b), Victor de Boo (d)

3. (7:39)
4. (7:30)
5. (5:05)
6. (3:48)

JC Tans Orchestra (20:25)
Eric Boeren (t), Boy Raaymakers (t), Wolter Wierbos (tb), Jan Cees Tans (ts), Daniele D'Agaro (ts), Alex Maguire (p), Victor de Boo (d)

7. (1:47)
8. (4:12)
9. (6:14)
10. (5:39)
11. (2:33)

Louis Moholo Kwartet
Claude Deppa (t), Sean Bergin (sax), George Wolfaardt (b), Louis Moholo (d)

12. (16:36)


CD2/79:58

Bennink/Mengelberg Duo (28:50)
Misha Mengelberg (p), Han Bennink (d)

1. (2:49)
2. (15:24)
3. (10:35)

Sean Bergin's M.O.B. (My Own Band) (51:08)
Eric Boeren (cor), Wolter Wierbos (tb), Sean Bergin (ts), Daniele D'Agaro (ts), Jan Willem van der Ham (as,bsn), Mary Oliver (v), Tristan Honsinger (vc), Alex Maguire (p), Franky Douglas (g), Jacko Schoonderwoerd (b), Victor de Boo (d)

4. Tenbi's Visit (6:43)
5. (10:34)
6. (5:50)
7. (12:44)
8. (4:28) [encore 1]
9. (10:28) [encore 2]

TT: 152:22

Source: live broadcast
Lineage: RECORDED WITH SONY MD AND TRANSFERRED TO HD OF PC TO FLAC
THIS IS MY MASTER [ubu: not quite sure anymore who actually recorded & shared this, but thanks a ton! Great show!]

Harry Miller - BBC 1976 & 1977

Here's the promised re-share of the earlier Harry Miller post. The first session of that post has been commercially released on Reel Recordings, hence I took that first offering down and those tracks aren't included here. Sorry that it took me so long, I completely forgot!

The opening is made by the great bass player Harry Miller (1941-1983). He was one of the doomed South African exiles, but his forceful music, his thumping bass playing, his dynamic interaction with frequent parter-in-crime Louis Moholo (one of the survivors) continues bringing incredible pleasure to my life - and I hope many others' lives, too!

Miller's official releases on Ogun have been reissued in a great 3CD set that is - alas - out of print again, but if you're a fan, you'll absolutely need that! (info)
In addition to that, Cuneiform has a great Isipingo live recording available, very much worth buying!

Louis Moholo, by the way, has been featured in a couple of earlier posts here:
Louis Moholo/Keith Tippett/Julie Tippets & MinAfrica Orchestra - Sant'Anna Arresi 2008
Louis Moholo-Moholo Quintet - Roma 2007

Also, there's my South African blindfold test, posted last spring, and then there's this post with many useful links (I hope they're still good, too many to check them, sorry):
The Joy and Pain of South African Jazz

: . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . :. : . : . : . : . :

Harry Miller Isipingo - 1976
Marc Charig (t), Malcolm Griffiths (tb), Mike Osborne (as), Stan Tracey (p), Harry Miller (b), Louis Moholo (d)
1. Family Affair (9:58)
2. Where Now Then? (9:53)

Harry Miller Quintet - 1977
Trevor Watts (as,ss); Alan Wakeman (ts,ss), Berni Holland (g), Harry Miller (b), Louis Moholo (d)
3. Orange Grove (9:22)
4. A Traumatic Experience (17:20)

TT: 46:34

#1,2: BBC broadcast early 1976
#2,4: "Jazz in Britain" broadcast 24-12-1977(?)

Lineage: FM > Sony reel to reel > standalone cd recorder > EAC > WAV > FLAC


Note on first broadcast (#1,2): There is probably a third piece missing for some reason I can't remember.


****************************************

UBU NOTE: OMITTED FROM THIS RE-OFFERING:

Harry Miller Isipingo - 1975

Mongezi Feza - trumpet
Nick Evans - trombone
Mike Osborne - alto sax
Stan Tracey - piano
Harry Miller - bass
Louis Moholo - drums

Whey Hey! (15:35)
Good Heavens Evans (11:59)

Source: "Jazz in Britain" broadcast 1975-02-24

These two titles have been commercially released on Reel Recordings:
http://www.reelrecordings.org/harry_miller.php
And hence should not be circulating any longer.

Harry Miller - London 1976

This isn't of great quality, but hey, you don't get a Harry Miller live recording every day, do you? So stop complainin' and dig the beautiful sounds of Harry Miller, Louis Moholo and their British cohorts, including the late great Mike Osborne and Keith Tippett!

The rhythm trio can be heard backing Elton Dean here.
Moholo & Tippett's recent Sant'Anna Arresi concert with the MinAfric Orchestra can be found here.
A great recording of Louis Moholo's Italian band of recent years is here.
And finally, Miller, Moholo, Charig, Griffiths and Osborne all were part of Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath when this show was recorded.

An MP3 version of this show is available over on inconstant sol.



Harry Miller's ISIPINGO
London (UK), 100 Club
December 20, 1976

Mark Charig - trumpet
Malcolm Griffiths - trombone
Mike Osborne - alto saxophone
Keith Tippett - piano
Harry Miller - bass
Louis Moholo - drums

>>> thanks to kinabalu for his setlist <<<

1. Medley [contents yet to be determined] (31:57)
2. Eli's Song (18:02)
3. Family Affair (8:34) [inc - from CD?]

TT: 58:35

Sound: B
Source/Lineage: audience recording -> tape -> CDR -> EAC -> FLAC

Abdullah Ibrahim & Miriam Makeba - Berlin 1978

This is a very special concert, and it has... ahem, very special sound quality.
The recording is pretty flawed, though in my opinion it's just about listenable.

Of course hearing Ibrahim (leading one of his best groups, in my opinion, the "Africa - Tears and Laughter" album on Enja is a must!) with Miriam Makeba is a treat, but the rough Berliners (no, I'm not one, he he he) were booing as usual (they can't stand singers in general, I think Carmen McRae was about the only one that survived a whole concert without being booed off the stage).

Anyway, this will keep the South-African flame burning for the weeks I'll be on vacation starting today!

: . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . :. : . : . : . : . : . : . :

Abdullah Ibrahim & Miriam Makeba
Berlinger Jazztage 1978
Berlin (Germany), Philharmonie
November 3, 1978

Abdullah Ibrahim - piano, soprano sax, flute
Talib Qadr - alto & soprano sax, flute, oboe
Greg Brown - bass
John Betsch - drums

on CD2 add:
Miriam Makeba - vocals
Papa Kouyate - percussion

CD2#1 is a piano solo
CD2#10 is a vocal solo

CD1/61:37
1. Stage Announcer Introduction (1:43)
2. Tsakwe (3:28)
3. Children of Africa (7:21)
4. Imam (11:57)
5. unknown (2:32) [cut] [Bra Joe from Kilimanjaro?]
6. Ishmael (14:30) [cuts in]
7. The Wedding (14:45)
8. Mannenberg (2:44) >
9. Tsakwe (2:30)

CD2/52:30
1. Medley (20:31) [p-solo] >
2. unknown (3:59)
3. Announcement by Abdullah Ibrahim (1:08)
4. Tula Dubula (6:30)
5. unknown (1:41) [Kiolo?]
6. unknown (5:27) [Epilelo?]
7. Ntyilo Ntyilo (3:04)
8. unknown > Stage Announcer Outro (4:56)
9. Announcement by Miriam Makeba (2:26)
10. unknown (2:43) [encore, voc-solo]

TT: 114:07

Sound: B+
Source: audience recording


:: ubu edits ::

run de-click filter (not much use here...)
re-tracked
deleted silence preceeding CD1#1
merged CD1#5 (came in two parts: 2:27/0:04 - with an unrelated 0:02 in between)
added fade-out at end of CD1#9 and fade-in at beginning of CD2#1
merged piano solo medley (came in two parts: 12:09/8:27), deleted a bit of duplication, splice @ 12:09
deleted silence and added fade-out at end of CD2#8
added fade-in at beginning of CD2#9
separated announcement from CD2#10
deleted noise and added fade-out at end of CD2#10

Additional lineage: FLAC > WAV > Cool Edit Pro > FLAC (8,asb,verify)

Seeded on dime by relyles

Comment by relyles:

set list received from trade:

Tsakewe [> Tsakwe]
The Children of Africa
Ishmael Did You Hear That Sound?
Mannenberg
The Dream
Kariba Blue [> Knishna Blue?]
Ballade
African Market Place
Yuokio Khalifa
Liberation Dance
Matsidison [> Matsidisu?]
Anthem for the New Nation
Hintiyan
Tula Dubula
Kiolo
Epelilelo


Note: jazzrita shared another fix on dime, here's some info on that version:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lineage: aud > dime > restored with wavelab > flac > dime

UPLOADED BY JAZZRITA 09-04-25

relyles SEEDED THIS CONCERT FEW DAYS AGO.
SEE URL: http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?id=245875

THE TECHNICAL SIDE OF THIS SEED NEEDS RESTORING. HERE ARE SOME HELP:
- CAREFUL HISS REDUCTION
- MORE CORRECT TRACKING
- ELEMINATE MANY GLITCHES AND CLICKS

THE TAPER HAD DONE NOT HIS BEST WORK: MUCH YAK!!!! HEAVY HISS AND SOME STRANGE HIGH FREQUENCES.

IT SEEMS THAT THE SOURCE ARE NOT ONLY AUDIENCE. IT SEEMS THE SOURCE FROM TRACK 11 ON (WITH MIRIAM MAKEBA) IS FROM A TV SHOW!!!???

THANKS TO UBU FOR HIS SET-LIST AND RESEARCHING ON THE LINE-UP!!!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In my opinion, the hiss reduction didn't work that well, and the tracking wasn't perfect, so I kept my own version.

Elton Dean - Amsterdam 1977

Here's another UK show... why another, well, because the South African jazzers eventually did mix up with the UK scene to some extent, even though in the early years, they weren't welcome.

Anyway, here's Elton Dean, the late great alto and saxello player, with Keith Tippett at the piano and the powerhouse rhythm section of Miller/Moholo.

Thanks a lot to "jazzrita" for sharing this over on dime, some time ago!

Please Note that the info-file and the folder give the date as September 8, which seems to be wrong. I only found out about that just now, doing some searching before posting this. I added a note below with the info given on the Elton Dean chronology for September 1977.

Also, do check the previous post for more related music!

: . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . :. : . : . : . : . :

Elton Dean Quartet
Amsterdam (NL), Melkweg
September 16, 1977

Elton Dean - alto sax, saxello
Keith Tippett - piano
Harry Miller - bass
Louis Moholo - drums

1. (36:14)
2. (9:53) [fade in/out]
3. (9:03) [fade in - mono - #2 ctd.?]

TT: 55:10

Sound: A-/B+ (#1,2), B+ (#3, mono)
Lineage: AUD > cd on trade > flac > dime


Note from dime seeder (jazzrita):

I GOT THIS IN TRADE.
THE FIRST TWO TRACKS ARE IN STEREO, BUT THE LAST TRACK ARE ONLY IN MONO, BECAUSE THE LEFT CHANNEL WASN'T USEABLE, SO, I HAVE DONE THIS TRACKS IN MONO ONLY.

:: ubu note ::

came as September 8, but the Elton Dean chronolgy gives the following info:

1977 - September

[01-08] European tour [Carla Bley Band]
[09] Emmen (Netherlands), Tin Pan Alley [ED Quartet]
[10] Oudenbosch (Netherlands), Try [ED Quartet]
[11] Bergen-op-Zoom (Netherlands), De Bottehommel (afternoon) [ED Quartet]
[11] Breda (Netherlands), De Bommel (evening) [ED Quartet]
[13] Den Bosch (Netherlands), De Kakatoe [ED Quartet]
[14] Amsterdam (Netherlands), Bimhuis [ED Quartet]
[15] Nijmegen (Netherlands), Doornroosje [ED Quartet]
[16] Amsterdam (Netherlands), Melkweg [ED Quartet]
[17] Eindhoven (Netherlands), De Effenaar [ED Quartet]
[18] Maassluis (Netherlands), De Toverbal (afternoon) [ED Quartet]
[18] Schiebroek (Netherlands), Nullispretii (evening) [ED Quartet]
[late] Italian tour [ED Quartet]

Harry Miller - BBC 1975-1977

[EDIT] The first two titles of this post have been officially released on Reel Recordings. I deleted the links and will offer a new set of links minus those two tracks - sorry for the inconvenience! Go and order the Miller (and some other) discs from the Reel Recordings site, so support those folks crazy enough to still be releasing our manna from heaven! [/EDIT]

First of a series of South African posts to follow... not in any planned or quick way, but several more instalments will eventually follow (a dozen or two, just so you get a rough idea).

The opening is made by the great bass player Harry Miller (1941-1983). He was one of the doomed South African exiles, but his forceful music, his thumping bass playing, his dynamic interaction with frequent parter-in-crime Louis Moholo (one of the survivors) continues bringing incredible pleasure to my life - and I hope many others' lives, too!

Miller's official releases on Ogun have been reissued in a great 3CD set that is - alas - out of print again, but if you're a fan, you'll absolutely need that! (info)
In addition to that, Cuneiform has a great Isipingo live recording available, very much worth buying!

Louis Moholo, by the way, has been featured in a couple of earlier posts here:
Louis Moholo/Keith Tippett/Julie Tippets & MinAfrica Orchestra - Sant'Anna Arresi 2008
Louis Moholo-Moholo Quintet - Roma 2007

Also, there's my South African blindfold test, posted last spring, and then there's this post with many useful links (I hope they're still good, too many to check them, sorry):
The Joy and Pain of South African Jazz

: . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . :. : . : . : . : . :

Harry Miller Isipingo - 1975

Mongezi Feza - trumpet
Nick Evans - trombone
Mike Osborne - alto sax
Stan Tracey - piano
Harry Miller - bass
Louis Moholo - drums

1. Whey Hey! (15:35)
2. Good Heavens Evans (11:59)

Harry Miller Isipingo - 1976

Marc Charig - trumpet
Malcolm Griffiths - trombone
Mike Osborne - alto sax
Stan Tracey - piano
Harry Miller - bass
Louis Moholo - drums

3. Family Affair (9:58)
4. Where Now Then? (9:53)

Harry Miller Quintet - 1977

Trevor Watts - alto & soprano sax
Alan Wakeman - tenor & soprano sax
Berni Holland - guitar
Harry Miller - bass
Louis Moholo - drums

5. Orange Grove (9:22)
6. A Traumatic Experience (17:20)

************************************

7. radio announcer (1:03) [between #1 and #2]
8. radio announcer (0:38) [between #3 and #4]
9. radio announcer (0:41) [between #5 and #6]
10. radio announcer (0:30) [following #6]

************************************

TT: 77:04

Sources:
#1,2,7: Jazz in Britain broadcast 24-2-1975
#3,4,8: BBC broadcast early 1976
#5,6,9,10: Jazz in Britain broadcast 24-12-1977(?)

Lineage: FM > Sony reel to reel > standalone cd recorder > EAC > WAV > FLAC

Note on second broadcast (#3,4): There is probably a third piece missing for some reason I can't remember.

Abdullah Ibrahim - Cully 2009

As I'm offline (thanks to my provider...) the links are hidden in here (look for the numbers...) as I can't programme comments to appear at a certain time. Sorry for that, but last time I did it like this, it worked out pretty well!

Here's a typically beautiful stream of consciousness solo concert by Abdullah Ibrahim, I did away with some bits of applause so this will easily fit onto one CDR (I'm not sure if I'm supposed to trust overburn CDRs, for the time being I don't).

Boston 1982 (Photo: Rashid Lombard)

Abdullah Ibrahim
Cully Jazz 2009
Cully (Switzerland), Chapiteau
April 2, 2009

Abdullah Ibrahim - piano

1. Senzo (part 1) 66:38
2. Senzo (part 2) 14:16

TT: 79:56

Sound: A
Source: RSR 2 "JazzZ" / 2009-04-02
Lineage: dvb-s > nexus-s > hdd > nero wave editor > flac
(MPEG1 Layer 2/256 kbps)

Additional lineage: FLAC > wAV > Cool Edit Pro > FLAC (8,asb,verify)

:: ubu edits ::

deleted applause at end of both tracks (21 and 14 seconds) to make this fit onto a normal disc without overburn

Louis Moholo / Keith Tippett / Julie Tippets / Minafric Orchestra - Sant'Anna Arresi 2008

Here's a show recently broadcasted on Italian radio and shared on dime. For those not on dime, and by request of Owen, here it is again!
Owen kindly allowed me to use a post of his about another concert by the same band, which I will quote below in a slightly adapted fashion - thanks a lot, Owen!

Some history…

So, you think this is a performance by the band Viva la Black? Close, but no cigar.

Louis Moholo-Moholo has been flying the Viva la Black banner since at least the mid 80s when Moholo first formed a group with Sean Bergin, Thebe Lipere, Claude Deppa, Robert Bellatalla & Steve Williamson, releasing the debut eponymous Viva la Black album in 1988 (Ogun OG533 LP, now out of print and sadly never reissued on CD). The core group of Moholo/Bergin/Lipere/Deppa continued on in this form until the mid 1990s with the likes of Frank Douglas, Paul Rogers, Toby Delius, Jason Yarde and Pule Pheto also passing through the ranks at various times. One other studio album Exile (Ogun OGCD 003) was released in 1991 before the group saw Louis make his triumphant return tour to South Africa in 1993; almost 30 years after his self-imposed exile began. This tour was later documented on the superb Freedom Tour album (Ogun OGCD 006) a collage of cleverly crossfaded best takes from a variety of performances mixed together to give the impression of one continuous joyous riot of sound. Another studio album was laid down in 1995 with Francine Luce also joining the group, however for reasons never made clear this album was shelved, only finally seeing release as Bra Louis, Bra Tebs in 2006 (Ogun OGCD 017/018, packaged as a two CD set with the long overdue reissue of Moholo’s exceptional pre-VlB 1978 album Spirits Rejoice!). Additionally, for this release the VlB name was retired in favour of the simpler Louis Moholo-Moholo Septet.

Due to the up-front presence of Lipere’s percussion and vocals Viva la Black was always a very African sounding jazz group, fusing Xhosa music forms with exuberant jazz orchestrations and a healthy dose of unbridled spontaneity. A further Africanised Brotherhood of Breath if you will.

Material-wise, a great deal of the original VlB songbook was made up of original Moholo material, traditional folk forms arranged by Moholo and songs written by his compatriots in exile. The band would also occasionally mix in standards such as What a Wonderful World and Roland Kirk’s Volunteered Slavery with their usual set, though the VlB signature would always ensure these standards never sounded tired, and often sounded totally original in themselves.

When Moholo relaunched the Viva la Black banner in 2004 it was as a very different beast. Gone were all of the musicians involved in the original era, as was the bulk of the material. Instead it would be a new collaborative venture with Keith Tippett and Julie Tippetts, drawing most of the material from Keith’s back catalogue, along with a handful of adapted arrangements carried over from each musician’s time with the Dedication Orchestra. The only remnants from the original VlB era are an adaptation of the South African National Anthem, and a few of the “compatriot” tunes that were common to both Dedication Orchestra and the original VlB group. Sadly, none of Moholo’s own original compositions, nor his arrangements of traditional tunes made the cut.

Keith Tippett’s chosen material for this project is a virtual greatest hits package, mixing material from across his broad career. As is usual with Tippett, themes are likely to pop up in unexpected places, and in the wrong order. I’ve long been under the impression that Keith considers his entire catalogue as studies for his next projects. Never is any piece of Tippett music totally finished and done with.

Instead of recruiting a new band to join the trio, a decision was made to hire an existing one to play under the VlB banner; enter Pino Minafra and his group Canto General (along with the Farualla Singers), and later (as on this recording) the smaller Minafric Orchestra. As Minafra was running the Ruvo festival in 2004 he missed out on playing with the band at that event, something he had the opportunity to rectify with encore performances this year at two festivals in France. Last year’s release of the Live at Ruvo CD (Ogun OGCD 020), the only official document of the group in action, is sadly lacking this key member’s musical contributions. It is fortunate then that this new recording exists (albeit only as a bootleg at this point) to give us the opportunity to hear Minafra take his place on the stage beside the group he was instrumental in forming.

In the Italian trumpeter’s ensembles Moholo and the Tippetts have found the perfect complement to the spirited music presented here. Both Minafra-led groups are capable of embracing the type of rambunctious expressionism essential to make this music work, and which is so often lacking in many recordings/performances.

So, it’s a different Viva la Black at Grenoble for sure, but by no means is it a lesser Viva la Black.

Now, on to the music…

1. MRA (6:50)
A joyous, rambling locomotive momentum and sparkling trumpet solo immediately sets the mood as the group open with this monstrous tune by Dudu Pukwana. MRA was first recorded by Gwigwi's Band on the very rare album Kwela - later reissued as Gwigwi Mrwebi: Mbaqanga Songs (Honest John’s HJRcd103) - then later rerecorded for the debut album of Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath (Fledg’ling FLED 3062) and it is through the Brotherhood’s live performances that it became Pukwana's signature piece. Both the original VlB band and the Dedication Orchestra had also recorded MRA. For my money the 21st century VlB versions are some of the best takes out there.

3. Thoughts to Geoff (9:54)
A Keith Tippett Group classic first released on their second album, 1971’s Dedicated To You... But You Weren't Listening (Vertigo 6360024), although an earlier version was recorded for the Keith’s unreleased 1969 debut platter (Revolution label acetate only). The arrangement here takes its cue from the Mujician and the Georgian Ensemble’s Bristol Concert performance from 1991 (Whatdisc 7), following a more rigid bassline and occasional handclap enhanced groove far off into the sunset.

4a. "introduction to Dedicated to Mingus" (proper title unknown) (0:00 - ?)
Another thing of Keith’s, first released in this form on the Ruvo CD (though not credited there as a separate track), this vocal harmony improvised layering technique was also used as part of Tapestry's First Weaving, and can also be heard in development stage on The Bristol Concert. The concept is simple, each singer chooses a note that harmonises with the notes around them and holds it for as long as possible. On drawing breath a new note is picked based on the audible polyphony at that point in time. The effect is a glorious ever morphing complex chord.

4b. Dedicated to Mingus (? - 4:47)
Charles Mingus was a huge influence on Tippett, with both musicians taking jazz composition to an almost art/classical music level with extended complex works. Tippett first recorded this track with his short lived Septet for their sole album, 1986’s A Loose Kite In A Gentle Wind Floating With Only My Will For An Anchor (Ogun OGD007/008). Yes, it’s very Mingusy, almost to the point of caricature, but very enjoyable nonetheless. Another one also found on The Bristol Concert.

5. Mongezi Feza (4:38)
This is a Tippett vocal study in a count of 10 based on building the great trumpeter's name starting with just whispering “Zi!” and then “Zi!, Za!” This track, and the following Four Whispers counterpart are unique to the 21st century Viva la Black venture as far as I know.

6. Four Whispers for Archie's Chair (4:24)
Another Tippett tune first recorded for the Ruvo CD, this piece in 5/4 time uses the vocal bed laid down in 4c for the backing. And it’s very nicely done if you ask me.

7. Traumatic Experience (7:14)
A Harry Miller tune first recorded for his Quintet’s In Conference album (Ogun HMCD 2). The arrangement here is basically the Dedication Orchestra’s, with the added choir section.

8. Cider Dance (3:34)
More Tippettisms, first recorded for The Bristol Concert, though the version here is the later Ruvo arrangement which also at one point integrates the B theme section from the title track on A Loose Kite... (cuepoint 10:32). Many parts of Cider Dance can also be found in different arrangements within Tippett’s 90s major work Tapestry’s First Weaving as found on the 2007 CD Live at Le Mans (RedEye 008), where the vocalists also take on a unique Tippetts libretto.

9. A Song (3:53)
This is Tippett’s epic 1978 work Ark: Frames – Music for an Imaginary Film (Ogun OGCD 010/011) in micro. It includes (in order) the third piece (from part/side four of the original 2LP) "Burning, Fire is Coming" and second piece (from part/side three) "Our Hearts are Heavy". The text is Julie’s. This arrangement was first recorded for the Ruvo CD, though the main sections are obviously from much earlier.

10. Dancing Damon (3:57)
Another Harry Miller tune from the In Conference album. An uptempo retake on the Dedication Orchestra arrangement, emphasising the percussion section with a well fitting solo/duo break, and definitely one of my favourite versions of this song. Pure joy!

11. Septober Energy (11:15)
The finale "Unite for Every Nation" section. Again Julie Tippetts provides the text. First recorded by Centipede in 1971 for the Septober Energy album of course (BGO 485), but this arrangement is closer to the Keith Tippett Group instrumental interpretation retitled Green and Orange Night Park, from the Dedicated to You… album.

13. You Ain't Gonna Know Me, 'cos You Think You Know Me (5:52)
Mongezi Feza’s glorious anthem, first recorded by Louis Moholo (Octet) for the album Spirits Rejoice! Oft covered, yet a version of this song featuring the composer has never been released.

14. South African National Anthem (4:09)
Written by Enoch Sentonga and adopted by the African National Congress in their struggle against apartheid… Jazz jam style. (includes band member introductions)

In short, if you like this, you will love the Ruvo CD. Basically, this is "Ruvo light", the same set, the same leaders, but a smaller, slightly less exuberant band. My advice is as it has always been, buy Ruvo ASAP.

Thanks a lot to Owen for this excellent and detailed review giving much insight and many hints where this musican journey could lead after this!

Here's a presentation with photos and music from the Grenoble concert > youtube

And for those who haven't seen it before, I posted an earlier Moholo show, in a small group also including Pino Minafra, Roberto Ottaviano, as well as longtime collaborator Roberto Bellatalla, and pianist (and son of Pino) Livio Minafra:

Louis Moholo - Roma 2007

Photo by R. Bergerone from the concert at Sant'Anna Arresi, 2008-09-02



Keith Tippett, Julie Tippetts, Louis Moholo-Moholo & Minafric Orchestra
Ai confini tra Sardegna e Jazz 2008: Viva La Black
Sant'Anna Arresi (Cagliari-Italy), Piazza del Nuraghe
September 2, 2008

Luca Calabrese - trumpet, flugelhorn
Vito Mitoli - trumpet
Pino Minafra - trumpet, conductor
Roberto Ottaviano - soprano & alto saxophone
Sandro Satta - alto saxophone
Carlo Actis Dato - tenor saxophone
Rossano Emili - baritone saxophone
Lauro Rossi, Gianpiero Malfatto, Beppe Caruso - trombone
Keith Tippett - piano, conductor
Livio Minafra - keyboards
Giovanni Maier - bass
Louis Moholo-Moholo, Vincenzo Mazzone - drums
Valentina Casula, Sylvie Ah Moye, Sandrine Seubille, Julie Tippetts - vocals & singing glasses

1. Mra (Dudu Pukwana) 5:21
2. introduction by Ottaviano (1:57)
3. Thoughts to Geoff (Keith Tippet) 9:30
4. Dedicated to Mingus (Keith Tippet) 4:47 >
5. Mongezi Feza (Keith Tippet) 4:38
6. Four Whispers for Archie's Chair (Keith Tippet) 4:24 >
7. Traumatic Experience (Harry Miller) 7:14 >
8. Cider Dance (Keith Tippet) 3:34
9. A Song (Keith Tippet) 3:53
10. Dancing Damon (Harry Miller) 3:57
11. Septober Energy (Keith Tippet) 11:15
12. band intros by Ottaviano (1:24)
13. You Ain't Gonna Know Me 'Cause You Think You Know Me (Mongezi Feza) 5:52
14. 'ncosy Sikeleli Africa [comp. Enoch Sentonga - South African National Anthem] 4:09
15. bands intro & outro (0:51)

TT: 72:46

Sound: A/A-
Source: "Il Cartellone - Radio 3 Suite Jazz", Radio 3 RAI [third channel of Italian national radio], on monday 5 January 2009, 20:49 hours
Lineage (FM > HD > web): ITT HiFi4060 Tuner > Audacity 1.3.5 Beta via C-Media CMI8738/C3DX soundcard > 16bit flac (level 8) > dimeadozen.org

Malombo

Over on the great matsuli music blog, there's a post dedicated to Philip Tabane and his band Malombo - go and check it out!

http://matsuli.blogspot.com/2008/11/music-of-spirit.html

That blog is heartily recommended!

Brotherhood of Breath

In absence of new posts of my own, let me point out a live show by Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath, over on that great place, Inconstant Sol.
Altena 1972

The info pulled together should now read like this:

Brotherhood of Breath
Altena (DE)
June 24 (1-3) & June 25 (4), 1972

prob. line-up:
Harry Beckett, Marc Charig - trumpet
Malcolm Griffith, Nick Evans - trombone
Mike Osborne - alto sax
Dudu Pukwana (#4 only) - alto sax
Gary Windo - tenor sax
poss. unknown (Alan Skidmore? Evan Parker?) - tenor sax
Chris McGregor - piano
Harry Miller - bass
Louis Moholo - drums

1. Call [Ismite Is Might]
2. Mra > Andromeda
3. Do It > Think of Something [inc]
4. The Serpent's Kindly Eye [inc]

TT: 36:31

Sound: A-/B+
Lineage: FM > ? > CDR > EAC > WAV > FLAC

My guess for second tenor is only because BoB usually had two tenors in the line-up. It's not based on aural evidence. For that, I'd have to dig up my CDR and play this show again...

I assume the dates to be correct now, as the guy who mentioned #4 being from the following night did not correct my date posted in the comments over there.
If anyone knows more about the location or if this concert was part of some festival etc, please post it in the comments over there!

More BoB to follow right here, I think, I hope...

Shannon Mowday - Leipzig 2007 - more jazz from South Africa!

Here's another supplement to the South African theme. I'm happy to introduce young sax player Shannon Mowday. If you check out her website, it's obvious that she (or her marketing crew) tries to cash in on her looks, but believe me, she can play! And play she did with the likes of Winston Mankuku, Robbie Jansen or Stefon Harris, and play she does here, with her own band!

Shannon Mowday - African Eyes
31. Leipziger Jazztage
Leipzig (Germany), Schauspielhaus
October 6, 2007

Shannon Mowday – alto & baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, penny whistle
Mark Fransman – piano
Wesley Rustin – bass
Kesivan Naidoo – drums

guest on #4: Jeremy Olivier – guitar, vocals

1. unknown (11:00)
2. unknown > Ann SM (8:38)
3. Oasis of Bad Vibes (Family Politics) > Ann SM (7:47)
4. African Lullaby (Olivier) 5:06
5. Announcement SM (0:43)
6. Waltz for Daddy Bob (9:55)
7. unknown (11:39)
8. unknown (6:01)

TT: 60:54

Sound: A
Source: astra sat > nexus:s > hdd > nero wave editor > flac 
(astra sat uses MPEG1 Layer 2/256 kbps)

Louis Moholo - Roma 2007 (digi-fm/flac)

Here's a supplement to the South African compilation - a great show by survivor Louis Moholo ( leading a group of Italian jazz musicians, including bassist Roberto Bellatalla, saxophonist Roberto Ottaviano and the father/son team Pino & Livio Minafra. Pino is the mastermind behind the great Italian Instabile Orchestra. Have a look at the setlist - doesn't this look tasy? Dudu, Tippett, Feza, Harry Miller's "Orange Groove" and more, also a tune by the late Elton Dean (coincidentally, I almost uploaded a show of his here that can now be found over on Inconstant Sol).
Moholo was part of the original Blue Notes (with Dudu, Feza, Nick Moyake, and of course Chris McGregor, and the great Johnny Dyani). They came to Europe in 1964 slowly establishing themselves mostly in the British scene, and hence starting a long exile, which most of these great musicians wouldn't see coming to an end. Moyake returned to South Africa and died in 1965, Feza in 1975, Miller died in 1983, Dyani in 1986, McGregor and Dudu in 1990. It's as if some curse lay on them - very depressing list.
So, happily, Moholo-Moholo is still here, doing his thang! (On a sidenote, Makaya Ntshoko, another SA-drummer, is also still active, though I missed a chance to catch him here sometime last year).


Louis Moholo-Moholo Quintet
Roma (Italia), La Palma
March 25, 2007

Pino Minafra - trumpet
Roberto Ottaviano - soprano sax
Livio Minafra - piano
Roberto Bellatalla - bass
Louis Moholo - drums

CD1/43:51
1. A Song (Keith Tippett) 11:36
2. Orange Grove (Harry Miller) > Mofolo (Harry Miller) 7:32
3. Angel Nomali (C. Semenya) 10:01
4. Blues for Nick (Dudu Pukwana) 14:41

CD2/50:23
1. Dedicated to Mingus (Keith Tippett) 11:36
2. Seven for Lee (Elton Dean) 7:58
3. Sondela (Mongezi Feza) 9:13
4. Thoughts to Geoff (Keith Tippett) 12:59
5. You Ain't Gonna Know Me 'cause You Think You Know Me (Mongezi Feza)
  > Out of Bounds (Elton Dean) 8:33

TT: 94:13

Sound: A/A-
Source: hotbird sat > nexus-s > hdd > nero wave editor > flac 
(hotbird sat uses MPEG1 Layer 2/192 kbps)

Alan Skidmore's Ubizo - Leipzig 2007 (MP2)

This is the first supplement (at least one more to come) to my South Africal posts. Alan Skidmore, the sax player known from S.O.S. and other projects, was the first British jazz musician to visit post-Apartheid South Africa in the nineties. This led to the 1999 album "The Call", with Amampondo, a Cape Town group of drummers. Skidmore's Ubizo project continues in the same vein. "Ubizo" means "the calling" (as in "vocation") and adds German trumpet player Ingolf Burkhardt to the mix. They released an album in 2003 and were touring again in recent years. This is a long and fine recording I got from dime recently and find worthy to spread further, beyond the dime community.


Alan Skidmore & Ubizo at The East Village Douglas Co Cork 2004

Alan Skidmore's Ubizo
31. Leipziger Jazztage
Leipzig (Germany), Moritzbastei
October 3, 2007 (MP2)

Alan Skidmore - tenor sax
Ingolf Burkhardt - trumpet, flugelhorn
Steve Melling - piano
Colin Towns - keyboards
Mick Coady - bass
Mike Paxton - drums
Joe Legwabe - african percussion
Jjkj Kanda - african percussion
Musa Mboob - african percussion

1. Band Intros AS > Sweet SA (Skidmore) > Ann AS (14:07)
2. Evening Song (Melling) > Salam Salam > Ann AS (14:14)
3. Bridges Of Sand (Towns) 10:22 >
4. Coat Of Many Summers (Skidmore-Towns) 13:01
5. Dumisani > Ann AS (9:22)
6. Bamboo Harmon (Burkhardt) > Ann AS (7:40)
7. Africa (Coltrane) > After The Rain (Coltrane) 18:07
[missing: Blues Minor (Coltrane)]

TT: 86:53

Sound: A
Source: DVB-S@256, 48kHz > raw data > ProjextX > mp3DirectCut > mp2
(lossy recording seeded in its original broadcast codec)

King Ubu's South African Blindfold Test

I hope this will end the compainin' for good - new links to come, up on Rapidshare, in neat 100MB portions (untagged files though, as they were to be a blindfold test...) - all the info is here and on the covers included in the new files.



1. The Jazz Epistles - Scullery Department (K. Moeketsi) 7:06
2. John Mehegan - Body and Soul (Green-Sour-Heyman-Eyton) 4:15
3. The Blue Notes - Blue Nick (D. Pukwana) 4:06
4. Winston "Mankunku" Ngozi - Yakhal 'Inkomo [Bellowing Bull] (W. Ngozi) 8:55
5. Dollar Brand - Memories of You (Blake-Razaf) 4:50
6. Kippie Moeketsi - Kippie's Prayer (K. Moeketsi) 3:42
7. Joe Malinga's Mandala - Umdrah (J. Malinga) 6:07
8. Dollar Brand - Mannenberg Is Where It's Happening (Cape Town Fringe) (A. Ibrahim) 13:38
9. Dollar Brand - African Sun (A. Ibrahim) 6:13
10. Harry Miller Solo - Homeboy (H. Miller) 5:03
11. Joe Malinga's Mandala - Nina's Dance (J. Malinga) 3:54
12. Dollar Brand - African Marketplace (A. Ibrahim) 7:04
13. African Jazz Pioneers - Yeka Yeka [Let It Be] (Z. Nkosi) 4:07

1 - Recorded in Sophiatown, South Africa, September 1959. Originally released on “Verse 1”; from: “Jazz in Africa, Volume 1 featuring The Jazz Epistles” (Camden CDN 1004).
Hugh Masekela (t), Jonas Gwangwa (tb), Kippie Moeketsi (as), Dollar Brand (Abdullah Ibrahim) (p), Johnny Gertze (b), Makaya Ntshoko (d).

2 - Recorded in Johannesburg, South Africa, 1959. Originally released on “Jazz in Africa”; from: “Jazz in Africa, Volume 1 featuring The Jazz Epistles” (Camden CDN 1004).
Kippie Moeketsi (as), John Mehegan (p), Claude Shange (b), Gene Latimore (d).

3 - Recorded in Cape Town, South Africa, early 1964. From: “Township Bop” (Proper Records PRP CD 013 - 2002). Mongezi Feza (t), Dudu Pukwana (as), Nick Moyake (ts),
Chris McGregor (p, leader), Johnny Dyani (b), Louis Moholo (d).

4 - Recorded in 1968. Originally released on “Mankunku Quartet - Yakhal 'Inkomo” (1968); from: “Freedom Blues: South African Jazz Under Apartheid” (Nascente NCCD 048, 1999).
Winston "Mankunku" Ngozi (ts) & Early Mabuza Trio: Lionel Pillay (p), Agrippa Magwaza (b), Early Mabuza (d).

5 - Recorded in the early 1970s, first published in 1971. From: "African Sun" (KAZ CD 102, 1988).
Kippie Moeketsi (as), Dollar Brand (p), Victor Ntomo (b), Nelson Magwaza (d).

6 - Recorded in the mid 1970s. Originally released on “Tshona”; from: “Jazz in Africa, Volume Two” (KAZ CD 28, 1992).
Kippie Moeketsi (as), Pat Matshikiza (p).

7 - Recorded at Phonag-Studio, Lindau, Switzerland, 5 & 6 February 1980. From: “Tears for the Children of Soweto” (Canova CA 113).
Joe Malinga (as,fl,voc), Clifford Thornton (vtb, afr. perc), Runo Ericksson (btb), Jürgen “Jux” Seefelder, Walter Gauchel (ts), Johnny “Manhattan” Taylor (p), Mike Guildford (b), Brüning v. Alten (d).

8 - Recorded in the mid 1970s, first published in 1977. From: "Voice of Africa" (KAZ CD 101, 1988).
Robbie Jansen (as), Basil Coetzee (ts), Abdullah Ibrahim (p), Paul Michaels (b), Monty Weber (d).

9 - Recorded in the early 1970s, first published in 1971. From: "African Sun" (KAZ CD 102, 1988).
Kippie Moeketsi (as), Dollar Brand (p), Victor Ntomo (b), Nelson Magwaza (d).

10 - Recorded 1974. Originally released on “Children at Play” (Ogun Stereo OG 200); from: “The Collection” (3CD set, Ogun, 1999).
Harry Miller (b,fl,percussion effects).

11 - Recorded at Phonag-Studio, Lindau, Switzerland, Feabruary 5 & 6, 1980. From: “Tears for the Children of Soweto” (Canova CA 113).
Joe Malinga (as), Runo Ericksson (btb), Chris (foot calabash).

12 - Recorded at Atlantic Studios, NYC, December 1979. Originally released on “African Marketplace” (Elektra 6E-252, 1980); from: “African Marketplace” (Discovery/Elektra/WEA CD, 1980).
Abdullah Ibrahim (ss), Carlos Ward (as), Jeff Jawarrah King (ts), Dwayne Armstrong (ts), Kenny Rogers (bari), Malindi Blyth Mbityana (tb), Craig Harris (tb), Gary Chandler (t), Cecil McBee (b), Miguel Pomier (perc), Andre Strobert (d,perc), Lawrence Lucie (bjo)

13 - Recorded prob. in the 1980s. From: “Freedom Blues: South African Jazz Under Apartheid” (Nascente NCCD 048, 1999); also included on “African Jazz Pioneers” (Camden CDN 1005, 1998).
Edmund “Ntemi” Piliso (as, leader), others unknown (6 horns, 2 g, b, d), but likely including: Stompie Manana (t), Sam Tshabangu (t), Jasper Cook (tb), Albert “Nkaka” Khumalo (g), Madoda Gxabeka (keys), Bheki Buthelezi (b).




1. Dolly Rathebe - Kitty's Blues 2:59
2. Jazz Maniacs - Weekend 2:56
3. Jazz Dazzlers - De Makeba (M. Davashe) 2:47
4. Jimmy Pratt with Lemmy Special and Miriam Makeba - Rockin' in Rhythm (D. Ellington) 2:52
5. Philip Tabane & Malombo - Draakies [Cradle] 3:19
6. Harry Miller Quintet - Orange Groove 9:22
7. Chris Mcgregor’s Brotherhood of Breath – New Year Carnival 10:38
8. Harry Miller's Isipingo - Family Affair (H. Miller) 9:58
9. Dollar Brand & Johnny Dyani - Medley 17:59
10. Kippie Moeketsi - Tshona (P. Matshikiza) 11:44
11. Abdullah Ibrahim - Next Stop Soweto (A. Ibrahim) 4:46

1 - Recorded in South Africa, October 17, 1954 (Language: Sotho). From: “South African Jazz And Jive, 1954-1960” (Line Records MSCD 9.01092 O, 1991).
Dolly Rathebe (voc), Kippie Moeketsi (as), Mackay Davashe (ts), Elijah Nkwanyana (tp), Sam Maile (p), Jacob Lepere (b), Willie Malan (d).

2 - Recorded in South Africa, January 18, 1956. From: “South African Jazz And Jive, 1954-1960” (Line Records MSCD 9.01092 O, 1991).
Probable personnel: Kippie Moeketsi (lead as), Benny "Gwigwi" Mrwebi (2nd as), Wilson Silgee (lead ts), Mackay Davashe (2nd ts), Gray Mbau (lead t), unknown (2nd t), Mickey Vilakazi (tb), Jacob Moeketsi (p), Victor Hamilton (g), Joe "Kitty Joe" Kitty (b), Willie Malan (d).

3 - Recorded November 25, 1958. From: “South African Jazz And Jive, 1954-1960” (Line Records MSCD 9.01092 O, 1991).
Kippie Moeketsi (1st as), Benny "Gwigwi" Mrwebi (2nd as), Mackay Davashe (ts), Kleintjie Rubushe (t), Dugmore "Darkie" Slinger (tb), Sol Klaaste (p), General Duze (g), Jacob Lepere (b), Willie Malan (d).

4 - Recorded in South Africa, c. September 1958. From: “South African Jazz And Jive, 1954-1960” (Line Records MSCD 9.01092 O, 1991).
Miriam Makeba (voc), Lemmy Special Mabaso (pennywh), unknown (p), unknown (g), prob. Mannie Markes (b), Jimmy Pratt (d).

5 - Recorded at “Afrikanischer Sommer” [African Summer – a festival], Hamburg, Germany, 1983 or 1984. Unreleased radio broadcast (Norddeutscher Rundfunk, Germany).
Philip Tabane (g), Mahapi Oupa Monareng (malombo d), Rahoudi Fish Phale (perc).

6 - Recorded in the UK for BBC, broadcast 1977. Unreleased radio broadcast (British Broadcasting Corporation, UK).
Trevor Watts (as,ss), Alan Wakeman (ts,ss), Berni Holland (g), Harry Miller (b), Louis Moholo (d).

7 - Recorded at Ronnie Scott’s, London, UK, December 31, 1967. Unreleased audience recording.
Mongezi Feza (t), Pat Higgs (t), Mick Collins (t), Chris Pine (tb), Malcolm Griffiths (tb), Jimmy Phillips (ss), Mike Osborne (as), Dudu Pukwana (as), Ronnie Beer (ts), John Surman (bari), Chris McGregor (p,leader), Dave Holland (b), Alan Jackson (d).

8 - Recorded in the UK for BBC, broadcast 1976. Unreleased radio broadcast (British Broadcasting Corporation, UK).
Marc Charig (t), Malcolm Griffiths (tb), Mike Osborne (as), Stan Tracey (p), Harry Miller (b), Louis Moholo (d).

9 - Recorded at NDR Jazz Workshop #94 (part 2), Studio 10, Norddeutscher Rundfunk, Hamburg, Germany. Unreleased radio broadcast produced by Michael Naura.
Dollar Brand (p,fl), Johnny Dyani (b).

10 - Recorded in the mid 1970s. Originally released on “Tshona”; from “Jazz in Africa, Volume Two” (KAZ CD 28, 1992); note: this was also reissued on the compilation “African Horns” (KAZ CD8, 1989).
Kippie Moeketsi (as), Dennis Phillips (as), Basil Coetzee (ts), Pat Matshikiza (p), Alec Khaoli (b), Sipho Mabuse (d).

11 - Recording date & original issue unknown. From the compilation “African Horns” (KAZ CD8, 1989).
Abdullah Ibrahim (cello), Basil Coetzee (ts), Sipho Gumede (b), Gilbert Matthews (d), others unknown.

South African jazz - fixed links & contributions

I noticed that some of the links in my big SA-jazz post weren't working any longer. Some of the things linked to just moved elsewhere on the wwww, and here's the place to put those links.

:.:.:.:.:

The general links are still good, and that AAJ site remains one of the best starting points. In the article section, several links aren't working any longer, though - here's a fixed list.

:.:.:.:.:

Another site about Abdullah Ibrahim:
http://junior.apk.net/~hoon/6Mantra_Modes.html

:.:.:.:.:

The Development of South African Jazz (by Hotep Idris Galeta):
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=889
also here: http://www.jazzrendezvous.co.za/special/spe2006062701.php

Forced removals in apartheid South Africa:
http://www.dispatch.co.za/1999/11/05/features/SNAPSHOT.HTM

Bebop and beyond the blues – South African Jazz History:
moved to: http://www.jazzrendezvous.co.za/special/spe2006062705.php

The article on the Drum Magazine has gone. It's the one linked to (dead link!) here:
http://africanhistory.about.com/b/2006/01/31/the-significance-of-drum-magazine-during-apartheid.htm

That site where the Galeta and Bebop and beyond articles are up on is quite interesting by itself, go have a look:
http://www.jazzrendezvous.co.za/index.php

There's an interview with guitar player Jimmy Dludlu up there, too:
http://www.jazzrendezvous.co.za/readarticle.php?artcl=00000031

:.:.:.:.:

I won't double check the musician links, sorry - too much work! But if you find other interesting sites, please do post them in the comments here!

The joy and pain of South African Jazz

On an afternoon in summer, the farm Quaggasfontein in the Great Karoo. About 200 years ago, after 13 years of work, two slaves are said to have completed the building of this wall which surrounds the farmyard.
Near Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape. December 1966

I realized that the Megaupload way of getting the four files I compiled some time back when doing a blindfold test on the Organissimo board was still working - here are the links:

[links removed, go to this new post to find the new links, eventually - and stop bitchin' around!]

Covers:
http://rapidshare.com/files/112012052/BFT48_JazzSA12.pdf

All infos can be found here:
Disc 1 (first two files): http://www.organissimo.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=34948
Disc 2 (last two files): http://www.organissimo.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=34949

The old discussions can be found here, in case anyone cares to read:
Disc 1: http://www.organissimo.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=34529
Disc 2: http://www.organissimo.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=34528

**********************************************************

Photographs by David Goldblatt (wiki)
http://www.michaelstevenson.com


A new shack under construction, Lenasia Extension 9, Gauteng
5 May 1990

**********************************************************

Allow me to repeat myself - in case not everyone clicks on the above links, here's some of the info I posted back then:


:: GENERAL LINKS ::

AMG South African Jazz Page: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=1957
Homepage of photographer Jürgen Schadeberg (Drum): http://www.jurgenschadeberg.com/
musig.org.za (tons of info, mainly short artist biographical sketches): http://www.music.org.za/default.asp
The African Music Encyclopedia: http://africanmusic.org/index.html
Afropop Worldwide: http://www.afropop.org/



Graves of the Griquas.
...The Griquas were coloured men and women. They were descendants of early Afrikaner frontiersmen; of the remnants of Khoisan tribes, hunters, gatherers, and pastoralists; of escaped slaves from the wine and wheat farms of the south-west Cape; of Free Blacks from the colony who could find no acceptable place for themselves in it; and of African tribesmen, detached from their tribes by war or by choice. They formed a community which attempted to discover what their role in South Africa was, or if there was none, to create one for themselves. In the end they could not do this ... (Adam Kok's Griquas: A Study in the Development of Stratification in South Africa, by Robert John Ross, Cambridge 1976)
Philippolis, Free State, 27 August 1986


:: ARTICLES ::

The Development of South African Jazz (by Hotep Idris Galeta): http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=889
Forced removals in apartheid South Africa: http://www.dispatch.co.za/1999/11/05/features/SNAPSHOT.HTM
Bebop and beyond the blues – South African Jazz History: http://home.worldonline.co.za/~afribeat/ar..._sa%20jazz.html
Drum Magazine: http://home.worldonline.co.za/%7Eafribeat/archiveafrica.html


Kite-flying, near Phuthaditjhaba, in the Qwa Qwa bantustan, now the Free State.
1 May 1989


:: MUSICIANS ::

Basil Coetzee (1944-1998)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basil_Coetzee
http://www.jazzhouse.org/gone/lastpost2.php3?edit=920482852

Mackay Davashe
great Schadeberg photo here: http://www.jurgenschadeberg.com/jazz14.jpg

Johnny “Mbizo” Dyani (1945-1986)
album listing: http://www.kultur-im-ghetto.de/discographia-johnny.htm

Abdullah Ibrahim (*1934)
http://www.abdullahibrahim.com/ (discography there is pretty incomplete!)

Robbie Jansen (*1949)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robbie_Jansen
http://home.worldonline.co.za/~afribeat/cont_robbie.html

Chris McGregor (1936-1990)
Berlin 1969 by Karlheinz Klüter here: http://www.jazzphotography.us/images/musicians/mcgregor.jpg (great site, worth browsing around!)
The Blue Notes (lenghty wiki entry): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blue_Notes
Brotherhood of Breath disco: http://www.ilxor.com/ILX/ThreadSelectedCon...;threadid=18348
A remembrance by Chris’ brother Tony: http://home.worldonline.co.za/%7Eafribeat/...chris_tony.html
A tribute (introduction to Maxine McGregor’s book): http://home.worldonline.co.za/%7Eafribeat/..._macgregor.html
(Note: a Blue Notes box set is scheduled to appear soon on Ogun records!)

Miriam Makeba (*1932)
Terrific 1955 photo by Schadeberg here: http://www.jurgenschadeberg.com/a09.jpg


Shopping on 14th Street, Pageview, Johannesburg. The suburbs Pageview, which was mainly Indian, and Vrededorp, which was mainly Afrikaner working-class, were next to each other. The Vrededorpers did much of their shopping in Pageview (as did people from many other parts of the city). When the Group Areas Act was enforced in 1977, the Indian population of Pageview was forcibly removed, and their shops and homes were destroyed to make way for Whites.
Pageview, Johannesburg, Gauteng. July 1985

Hugh Masekela (*1939)
Biography & discography by Doug Payne: http://www.dougpayne.com/hmhome.htm
Biography (& more): http://www.ritmoartists.com/Hugh/Masekela.htm
Interview (2002): http://www.afropop.org/multi/interview/ID/37/

Pat Matshikiza (*1938)
Biography (from a recent CD’s liners): http://www.music.org.za/artist.asp?id=231

Harry Miller (1941-1983)
Detailed info on “The Collection”: http://www.efi.group.shef.ac.uk/labels/ogun/ogunhm.html
(Don't by all accounts miss the Isipingo disc released on Cuneiform! It's the best way to get acquainted with Miller these days, as the Ogun box has been out of print for a while now...)

Louis Moholo (*1940)
Biography: http://www.music.org.za/artist.asp?id=144
Article by Gary May (May 2005 of ImproJazz, no. 115): http://www.efi.group.shef.ac.uk/fulltext/ftmoholo.html

Winston “Mankunku” Ngozi
biography: http://www.music.org.za/artist.asp?id=55
Reissue of "Yakhal 'Inkomo" (with Chris Schilder Quintet feat. Mankunku "Spring"): http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=9871

Edmund Ntemi Piliso (1925-2000)
Short bio: http://www.jazzhouse.org/gone/lastpost2.php3?edit=984059354
African Jazz Pioneers: http://www.music.org.za/artist.asp?id=75

Dudu Pukwana (1938-1990)
wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dudu_Pukwana

Dolly Rathebe (1928-2004)
another great Jürgen Schadeberg photo here: http://www.jurgenschadeberg.com/a06.jpg
Biography: http://www.afropop.org/explore/artist_info...Dolly%20Rathebe

Lemmy Special
one more by Schadeberg: http://www.jurgenschadeberg.com/jazz24.jpg

Philip Tabane
http://www.music.org.za/artist.asp?id=106



Xhosa man and V N Zote's children, Flagstaff, Transkei, Eastern Cape.
9 October 1975


:: FURTHER LISTENING ::

African Jazz Pioneers – Sip 'n' Fly (Gallo) [Ntemi Piliso & his gang back at the game in 1992]
The Blue Notes – In Concert Vol. 1 (Ogun – OOP) [don’t have this one for real…]
The Blue Notes – Township Bop (Proper) [early sessions (1964) by the group, still in South Africa – I assume this is the one Proper release I really, really love!]
**Pierre Dorge & New Jungle Orchestra – Brikama (Steeplechase) (incl. Johnny Dyani) [great, joyful and crazy small big band stuff, similar vibes in there as you can hear with the Dutch bands of the time]
*Johnny Dyani – Witchdoctor’s Son (Steeplechase) [a classic, I assume, but one I haven’t gotten yet]
Mongezi Feza – Free Jam (Ayler, 2CD) [Feza guesting with Bernt Rosengren’s group]
Anders Gahnold – Flowers for Johnny (Ayler, 2CD) [trio w/Dyani & Gilbert Matthews]
Abdullah Ibrahim – African Space Program (Enja) [one of his best, just look at the line-up: Enrico Rava, Sonny Fortune, Carlos Ward, John Stubblefield, Hamiet Bluiett, Cecil McBee, a.o.]
Abdullah Ibrahim – African Marketplace (WEA) [one of his greatest, Carlos Ward is the main soloist, Craig Harris is there as well, and Cecil McBee anchors it on bass, great blowing, plenty of spirit and soul]
Abdullah Ibrahim – all the “African Recordings” (African Sun, Voice of Africa, Tintinyana, Blues for a Hip King) (KAZ/Camden) [the early/mid 70s material from after Dollar Brand went back to SA, featuring Kippie, Basil Coetzee, Robbie Jansen, Barney Rachabane and others, but also a date with Blue Mitchell, Buster Cooper and Harold Land alongside Coetzee and a few other SA musicians]
Abdullah Ibrahim – African Piano (JAPO) [one of his best, an early solo outing]
Abdullah Ibrahim – Yarona (Enja) [1996 trio set from Sweet Basil in NYC, glorious!]
Abdullah Ibrahim – African River (Enja) [one of the best Ekaya albums]
Abdullah Ibrahim – South Africa (Enja) [a great live set with Carlos Ward]
Abdullah Ibrahim – Africa -Tears and Laughter (Enja) [a meditative set with Talib Kibwe]
Abdullah Ibrahim/Johnny Dyani – Good News from Africa (Enja) [duos, sublime!]
Abdullah Ibrahim/Johnny Dyani – Echoes from Africa (Enja) [more duos, almost as good]
Robbie Jansen – Nomad Jêz (Mountain Records)
The Jazz Epistles – Jazz in Africa, Vol. 1 (KAZ/Camden) [with John Mehegan date, see Masekela disography for details]
Chris McGregor – Very Urgent (Polydor – OOP) (to be reissued by Fledg'ling
Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood of Breath (self-titled) (just reissued by Fledg'ling)
Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood of Breath – Brotherhood (just reissued by Fledg'ling)
Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood of Breath – Bremen to Bridgewater (Cuneiform. 2CD)
Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood of Breath – Travelling Somewhere (Cuneiform)
Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath – Eclipse at Dawn (Cuneiform) [might be the best of these live releases...]
Chris McGeegor’s Brotherhood of Breath – Country Cooking (Virgin) [one of hist last releases, mostly with UK sidemen, pretty good!]
Hugh Masekela – Still Grazing: The Musical Journey of H.M. (Blue Thumb) [a nice compilation of mostly early material]
Lulu Masilela & Thomas Phale – Cool Down (Gallo) [short - only 26 minutes - but very sweet, contains two lenghty jams]
Harry Miller – The Collection (Ogun, 3CD – OOP) [all his Ogun albums, solo, duo with Radu Malfatti, Isipingo, the album with Breuker, Trevor Watts and the Tippet(t)ses, as well as the Harry Miller Quintet album with Charig, Wolter Wierbos, Han Bennink and Sean Bergin, originally on Varajazz]
Harry Miller’s Isipingo – Which Way Now (Cuneiform) [terrific live recording by this great band!]
*Louis Moholo – Spirits Rejoice (Ogun) [OOP?]
McCoy Mrubata - Face the Music (Sheer Sound) [a lovely 2002 album by some younger musicians, including Zim Ngqawana, Prince Lengoasa, Marcus Wyatt and Paul Hanmer]
*Benny Gwigwi Mrwebi – Mbqanga Songs (Honest Jon’s)
Winston "Mankunku" Ngozi – Yakhal ‘Inkomo (Gallo) [also contains Chris Schilder's Spring]
Zim Ngqawana – Zimphonic Sounds (Sheer Sound) [a younger man’s celebration of the great tradition, the music in all its glory and pain]
Bra Ntemi [Ntemi Piliso] – At Mavuthela Vol. 1 - 1975 (Gallo)
Bra Ntemi [Ntemi Piliso] – At Mavuthela Vol. 2 - 1975 (Gallo)
Bra Ntemi [Ntemi Piliso] – At Teal Records - 1976 (Gallo)

*) albums I don’t own in any form (some of this stuff has been around in the blogosphere…)
**) albums that are not actually “South African jazz,” whatever that is

Compilations
Freedom Blues: South African Jazz Under Apartheid (Nascente) [mostly classics by Mankunku, The Blue Notes, Harry Miller’s Isipingo, The Jazz Epistles, a.o.]
Africa Straight Ahead (Heads Up) [mostly younger musicians, Zim Ngqawana, McCoy Mrubata, Bheki Mseleku, Hotep Idris Galeta, Paul Hammer, a.o.]
African Horns (KAZ/Camden) [a great teaser, including “Thsona” (see below) as well as a few other lenghty jams, plenty of great sax players featured, incl. Kippie, Coetzee, Jansen & Barney Rachabane]
Jazz in Africa, Volume 2 (KAZ/Camden) [includes Kippie’s terrific album “Tshona”, as well as two looooong jams with Dollar Brand]

Further metion: Golden Afrique Vol. 3 (Network), dedicated to the music of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Sambia (Volumes 1 & 2 are highly recommended, too - for Europeans, I assume the best place to get them is here: http://www.zweitausendeins.de/suche/?ArticleFocus=3&ord=-1&alpha=1&cat=20&q=golden%20afrique). These aren't jazz releases, of course, but they contain plenty of wonderful music attractive to the jazz audience, too...

And to end things, here's the sleeve of the original King Kong album - the musical which in its cast included many of the luminaries of South African jazz:





Stalled municipal housing scheme, Kwezinaledi, Lady Grey, Eastern Cape.
5 August 2006