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Live at the Bird's Eye

by The Blue Notes Tribute Orkestra (BNTO)

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1.
Angel Nemali 11:09
2.
3.
4.
Mbizo 05:13
5.
Do It ! 10:22
6.
Dear Africa 09:21
7.
8.
Ubagile 05:36
9.

about

Here you hear the origins of great South African Jazz - free,full of joy and pain,an expression of shared humanity. BNTO is an African heritage jazz ensemble paying homage to The Blue Notes - a South African quintet who lived most of their lives in exile.

The Blue Notes tribute Orkestra was initially put together in Johannesburg for an event commissioned by Chimurenga Magazine in Cape Town , but once the musicians came together to rehearse they soon realized the importance of keeping this project alive . It has been a journey of discovery for all the musicians involved – exploring the incredible recordings and compostions of the legendary South African jazz group of the 60’s , The Blue Notes . This was one of the most important groups to ever come out of this country , and they truly put South African Jazz onto the global stage .

The Blue Notes were a South African jazz sextet, whose definitive line up featured Chris McGregor on piano, Mongezi Feza on trumpet, Dudu Pukwana on alto saxophone, Nikele Moyake on tenor saxophone, Johnny Dyani on bass, and Louis Moholo on drums. After moving away from their home country in 1964, they established themselves on the European jazz circuit, where they continued to play and record through the 1970s. They are now considered one of the great free jazz bands of their era, whose music was given a unique flavour by their integration of African styles such as Kwela and Marabi into the progressive jazz ideas of the time. .
Unfortunately , because of the politics of the day , most of these great musicians lived and died outside of their own country .

The Tribute Orkestra endeavours to bring this music back to South African audiences , and to keep the traditions of the more free approach to South African Jazz alive . The Orkestra is made up of some of the most exciting and edgy musicians this country has to offer , and each of them brings something unique and fresh to the sound . One cannot help but be moved by the music of these past masters , which still sounds fresh and innovative almost 50 years later . This project should be considered as an important part of maintaining South Africa’s national cultural identity .

The first performance of BNTO (the South African Swiss Collaboration Edition) in Switzerland took place at The Bird’s Eye Jazz Club in Basel , in May 2012 . there was an instant chemistry between the musicians from the two nations – many of the Swiss musicians I have met seem to have an affinity and deep understanding for the South African sound . perhaps this is also the reason that during the apartheid era many South African musicians in exile spent time over there , collaborating , recording and performing . The Switzerland performances were recorded , and the first album of this cross-continent project will be released both in South Africa and Europe in 2016 .

BNTO is a South African jazz ensemble , it is a living historical institution which aims to keep alive and relevant the important legacy upon which Johnny Dyani , Chris McGregor , Mongezi Feza , Dudu Pukwana , Nick Moyake and Louis Moholo built their cultural identities .

credits

released September 8, 2017

The Blue Notes Tribute Orkestra
South African Swiss collaboration edition

Afrika Mkhize – (za) piano
Marcus Wyatt – (za) trumpet
Siya Makuzeni – (za) voice/trombone
Donat Fisch (ch) – alto saxophone
Domenic Landolf (ch) – tenor saxophone
Fabian Gisler (ch) – upright bass
Ayanda Sikade (za) – drums

Recorded live at The Bird's Eye Jazz Club , Basel , Switzerland in June 2012 .

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about

The Blue Notes Tribute Orkestra (BNTO) Johannesburg, South Africa

BNTO is an African heritage jazz ensemble paying homage to The Blue Notes - a South African quintet who lived most of their lives in exile.

BNTO - South African Swiss collaboration edition

Afrika Mkhize – (za) piano
Marcus Wyatt – (za) trumpet
Siya Makuzeni – (za) vox/tbn
Donat Fisch (ch) – alto
Domenic Landolf (ch) – tenor
Fabian Gisler (ch) – bass
Ayanda Sikade (za) – drums
... more

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