Top bassist honours legendary jazzman
TOP local guitarist/bassist Lulama Gawulana will perform music from his recently released CD, Homage to Johnny Dyani at the Stirling Auditorium next Friday May 27.
He will be joined by top local musicians – Ayanda Sikade on drums; Nduduzo Makhathini on piano; Claude Gawe on saxophone and Sakhile Simani on trumpet – who will also play their own original compositions.
Gawulana grew up in a community (East London/Mdantsane/ Village) that had been influenced by an impressive lineage of musicians, many of whom became influential in the national jazz scene.
Chief amongst these was bassist Johnny Dyani, who was taught to play bass by pianist Fats Mbambisa.
Dyani’s big break came in the early 1960s, when he joined Tete Mbambisa’s quartet for a tour in Cape Town.
There he was spotted by the legendary Chris McGregor, with whom he subsequently became synonymous in transforming South African jazz.
After their exile to Britain in 1964, McGregor’s Blue Notes jazz band had a significant influence on international and especially British jazz, bringing the swing and vigour of South Africa’s music to the world’s attention.
Throughout his too-short life and around the world, Dyani continued to play in the style he had learnt as a youngster in East London, becoming an outspoken ambassador for a democratic South Africa, a musical fundraiser for the ANC, and a musical beacon that made the Eastern Cape proud.
It was in the context of this legacy that Gawulana learnt to play jazz. He never met Dyani, but the influences of his music were all around, reflected in the musicians left behind.
Gawulana has picked up the musical candle, carrying it forward despite almost insurmountable difficulties.
He has been a mainstay on the Eastern Cape jazz scene for over three decades, working with many of South Africa’s leading musicians and has performed in The Netherlands, Pakistan, India and the Middle East.
A lyrical and innovative composer, he has remained in East London, committed to his roots, nurturing successful young musicians such as Sikade and Simani.
Friday’s show starts at 7pm. Tickets at R100 a person (discounts for students and pensioners) are available at the door. — DDR