Jazzmusicis characterised by syncopated rhythms, complex harmony, and a lot of improvisation.
The history of this genre can be traced to African-Americans.
Today, we have numerous successful South African jazz artists.
Photo: canva.com (modified by author)Source: UGC
Some are alive, while others are long gone, but their music lives on.
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Did you know thatInternational Jazz Dayis marked on 30th April yearly?
On this day, South African jazz artists are celebrated and honoured.
Jonas Gwangwa during the official memorial service of late jazz legend Dorothy Masuka at the Johannesburg theatre. Photo: @Gallo Images/ Oupa BopapeSource: Getty Images
Jonas Gwangwa
Jonas Gwangwa played a crucial role in the evolution of South African jazz.
He was a member of the Jazz Epistles before going solo.
In 1997,he composedthe theme music for South Africa’s Olympic bid.
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He also wrote and composed music for the filmsGenerations, Cry Freedom,andOthello.
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Who is Elizabeth Keuchler?
Bio, age, children, spouse, career, net worth, profile
24.
Jimmy Dludlu on stage. Photo: @Alain DUCASSE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Pops Mohamed
PopsMohamed startedhis career with the Valients in the 1960s.
He later formed Childrens Society, a band that did covers.
He is one of the modern jazz artists worth listening to.
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His style is a beautiful blend of traditional and modern elements.
Some of his songs areTara Tara, Afrocentric, Linda, Lulama, Blues for Haiti,andNgalanga Jazz.
He added his unique tunes to the combination.
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He was one of the jazz fusionartists whose musicremains alive years after his demise.
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Chris McGregor
Growing up,Chris McGregorlistened to many church hymns andXhosadances.
In college, he discovered the Black jazz scene.
He was a band leader and a solo artist.
Louis Tebogo Moholo plays drums at the Vision Festival XII ‘The Revolution Continues’ concert at the Angel Orensanz Foundation Centre for the Arts, New York. Photo: @Jack Vartoogian/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Mongezi Feza
Mongezi Feza started playing the trumpet at a tender age.
He played professionally in groups in his teens.
Some ofFeza’s top jamsareMad High, Gorans Soder,andFeelings.
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Who is Jazz Elle Agassi?
Age, family, parents, height, career, college, net worth
18.
His hit music includesWoza, Ixesha, Ithi Gqui, Amaxesha Osizi,andKhanya Apho Ukhona.
Vocalist Sibongile Khumalo, McCoy Mrubata on the saxophone, Feya Faku on fluegelhorn, Paul Hanmer on piano, Herbie Tsoaeli on acoustic bass, & Justin Badenhorst on drums. Photo: @Jack VartoogianSource: Getty Images
Johnny Dyani
Johnny Dyani started playing the piano and singing in a traditional choir at a tender age.
At 13, he started playing bass.
Who is Richard Taubman?
Sipho Hotstix Mabuse at the launch of the Thabo Mbeki Presidential Library at the Thabo Mbeki Foundation in Johannesburg, South Africa. Photo: @Luba Lesolle/Gallo ImagesSource: Getty Images
Age, children, ethnicity, divorce, career, profiles, net worth
16.
McCoy Mrubata is a jazz saxophonist, band leader, flute player, and composer.
He grew up surrounded by music, which influenced who he is today.
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Sipho Mabuse
In 1984,Sipho Mabusereleased his mega-hit track,Jive Soweto.
The song catapulted him to fame.
Who is Kwezi Ndlovu?
Dudu Pukwana pictured on 17th June 1971. Photo: @Lee Pearce/Fairfax Media via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
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14.
Dudu Pukwana
Dudu Pukwana studied piano and also played the sax.
In 1962, he won thetop prizeat the Johannesburg Jazz Festival with Moyake’s Jazz Giants.
Nduduzo Makhathini posing for pictures outdoors. Photo: @nduduzomakhathini (modified by author)Source: UGC
He was a part of the Blue Notes at one point in his career.
Nduduzo Makhathini
NduduzoMakhathini isa composer, pianist, producer, and arranger who focuses on spiritual jazz.
Cebolenkosi Mthembus biography: Age, family, career, qualifications, net worth
12.
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Some members are alive, while others are long gone.
Jazz Epistles
Jazz Epistles was a short-livedjazz groupthat evolved from the Jazz In Africa session.
Sipho Gumede
Sipho Gumede released numerous tracks before his demise in late July 2004.
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African Jazz Pioneers
TheAfrican Jazz Pioneerswas established in the ’80s.
Members often play the ’50s and ’60s South African jazz.
Zim Ngqawana plays the whistle as he leads his Zimology Quartet at the NYC Winter JazzFest 2008 at the Knitting Factory Main Space, New York. Photo: @Jack Vartoogian/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
The group is made of veteran marabi players and younger musicians.
Zim Ngqawana
ZimNgqawana wasone of the leading jazz musicians in SA.
He led his own band calledIngoma.
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Ngqawana also played with influential jazz musicians such as Max Roach, Keith Tippett, and Abdullah Ibrahim.
Miriam Makeba
Grand P’s net worth and biography: What does he do for a living?
Most people knewMiriam Makebaas Mama Africa.
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She is best remembered forPata Pata, The Click Song, Amampondo, Saduva,andNomeva.
The late Makeba remains the most important female vocalist to emerge out of South Africa.
Bokani Dyer
BokaniDyer isknown forKe NakoandVuvuzela.
Hugh Masekela being bestowed with a sixth doctorate by Wits University in Johannesburg, South Africa. Photo: @Gallo Images/ Sowetan/ Thulani MbeleSource: Getty Images
He is a multi-award-winning Motswana-South African composer, pianist, and producer.
He creates jazz music blended with elements of electronic, classical, R&B, and salsa.
Alex Van Heerden
Alex Van Heerden isremembered forBitter Lewe, Oompie, Reversable Thorax, Gron Lok,andDonkievet.
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He was a jazz musician from Cape Town.
He was a talented trumpeter and band leader.
Moses Khumalo
Moses Khumalo was only 27 years old when he passed away.
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Don Laka
With multiple hitmaking albums,Don Lakais the owner of Bokone Music and co-founder of Kalawa Jazzmee.
Some of his bestselling albums includeRebirth of Kwaai Jazz, Afro Chopin, Paradise, The Essential,andDestiny.
Who started South African jazz?
The Jazz Epistles were one of the first major bebop groups in South Africa in the 1950s.
Hugh Masekela is respected as the father ofSouth African jazz.
The late artist started playing the trumpet in the 1950s.
There are many South African jazz artists who have released music you should listen to.
These artists are respected for their passion and love for good music.
South Africa offers a burgeoning music scene of eclectic local talent.
The country is home to some of the top artists on the continent.
These artists sing in different languages and different genres.
Source: Briefly News
Jedidah TabaliaJedi is a journalist with over 5 years working experience in the media industry.
She has a BSc.
She loves traveling and checking out new restaurants.
She holds a Diploma in Mass Communication and a Bachelors degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Kenyatta University.
Cyprine joined Briefly.co.za in mid-2021, covering multiple topics, including finance, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle.
In 2023, she finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques.
She received the Writer of the Year awards in 2023 and 2024.
In 2024, she completed the Google News Initiative course.
Email: cyprineapindi@gmail.com
