APR 25-28 | SOUTH AFRICAN FREEDOM DAY COMMEMORATION
Apr 28, 2024
Joe Henderson Lab
Born and raised in Cape Town’s historic Langa township, saxophonist and flutist McCoy Mrubata has come to represent the South African city’s glorious jazz legacy.
As a child he absorbed the soulful hymns of the Zion Church, the chants and rhythms of traditional healers and the South African swing of the Merry Macs, an early Cape Town jazz combo that rehearsed across from his home. Leaving school after the bloody 1976 Soweto uprising, he threw himself into music, studying with Langa legends such as pianist Madoda Gxabeka, tenor saxophonist Winston Ngozi, trumpeter Fezekile “Blackie” Tempi and penny whistle master Robert Sithole.
Moving to Johannesburg in the late 1980s he started recording for Zomba Records, he came into his own as the leader of Brotherhood, a talent-packed band that won the Gilbey's Music for Africa prize in 1990. He gained international attention in 1992 when he toured the world with Hugh Masekela’s Lerapo and has collaborated with Brazilian greats Airto and Flora Purim. Several of his albums have won the South African Music Award for best traditional jazz release. Making his California debut as a leader, he performs as part of a Southern African Arts Alliance program celebrating the 30th anniversary of Freedom Day, South Africa’s first democratic elections.
“A living legend of South African Jazz” (JazzTimes), the saxophonist known for his work with Hugh Masekela makes his West Coast debut as a leader.
SFJAZZ MAGAZINE
› The Spirit Of Ubuntu: Celebrating South African Freedom Day
A giant in the world of South African jazz.
All About Jazz on McCoy Mrubata
A giant in the world of South African jazz.
All About Jazz on McCoy Mrubata
Watch & Listen
McCoy Mrubata
Mr. Dayimani
Tumi Mogorosi
I Remember Bra Hugh
McCoy Mrubata
Mr. Dayimani
Tumi Mogorosi
I Remember Bra Hugh
APR 25-28 | SOUTH AFRICAN FREEDOM DAY COMMEMORATION
APR 25
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