Tribute to jazz legend
ALTHOUGH late jazz saxophonist and composer Winston “Mankunku” Ngozi died 10 years ago, his music lives on with a one-night show Tribute to Mankunku’s Yakhal'Inkomo at the National Arts Festival later this month.
Part of a packed and diverse Standard Bank Jazz Festival in Grahamstown, with several performances to mark key milestones, Tribute to Mankunku’s Yakhal'Inkomo has been devised by award-winning journalist Percy Mabandu.
Mabandu, who wrote a book on Mankunku, Yakhal’inkomo: Portrait of a Jazz Classic, has created the show to mark the 50th anniversary of the release of the Cape musician’s debut album.
Mankuku wrote its anthemic title song, Yakhal’inkomo – literally translated from isiXhosa means “the bellowing bull” – when he was just 24 years old.
Although an unschooled musician who was self-taught, Mankuku bridged the gap between South African and American jazz music and brought a unique and memorable sound to the stage. Mbandu’s production aims to capture the struggle of black people living in apartheid South Africa, at the same time as celebrating Mankunku’s body of work in the multi-disciplinary performance. In doing so, Mabandu is bringing together a team of musicians each of whom have been touched by Mankunku’s life and music.
Mabandu has said of his book that “it is an exploration of one record among many that constitute that history. This is my creative attempt to construct a literary picture of a classic jazz record. “It is not unlike a painter’s efforts to capture his impressions of a colossal figure on canvas.”
In the festival show, he will be “painting” an interdisciplinary performance of music and literature, blending spoken word and jazz improvisation. The all-star band on stage includes Sisonke Xonti and Linda Sikhakhane on saxophones, Andile Yenana on piano, Ayanda Sikade on drums and Shane Cooper on bass. Mabandu will provide the words. Tribute to Mankunku’s Yakhal'Inkomo will be presented at DSG auditorium at 2pm on Saturday, June 30.
Tickets are available via www.nationalartsfestival.co.za and Standard Bank card- holders qualify for a 20% discount subject to terms and conditions.