The Jazzanians / We Have Waited Too Long
Release Date: 12th April 2024
CD, Digital & Vinyl Formats / UBU0153
Left to right: Mark Kilian (occasional dep for Melvin Peters), Victor Masondo, Melvin Peters, Johnny Mekoa, Andrew Eagle, Darius Brubeck. Sitting: Lulu Gontsana, Zim Ngqawana. (Photographer: Ted Brien)
Ubuntu Music is honoured to release the restored and remastered recording of The Jazzanians, a multi-racial jazz ensemble from 1988 in Apartheid South Africa. We Have Waited Too Long was spearheaded by Darius and Catherine Brubeck. An international edition of their book, Playing the Changes - about their years in South Africa and currently available in that country - and a documentary film, Playing the Changes: Tracking Darius Brubeck, describe a significant passage in South African history (1983 - 2006), and the transformative effect of jazz. These will be released worldwide in 2024.
Darius explains the story behind the project: “The Jazzanians were a unique band of exceptionally talented South African students, some of whom were already professional musicians. I launched the first university degree in Jazz at the University of Natal in 1984 and in 1988, the Jazzanians were the first multi-racial student jazz ensemble from South Africa to tour outside the country. They were a huge hit and appeared on national NBC and CBS television in the USA. Following this success, it seemed natural that the band should record, and ‘We Have Waited Too Long’ was the result. Re-releasing it in 2024 honours those Jazzanians no longer with us (Johnny Mekoa, Zim Ngqawana and Lulu Gontsana) and raises the South African Jazz flag. The recording is a jubilant expression of the creative interaction apartheid tried to stifle. The band, their tours and the recording were special projects organized by my wife, Catherine. Compositions by band members represent the quintessential sound of South African Jazz which is totally infectious.”
Crowded Rainbow Bar Sunday Session, where The Jazzanians often performed (Photographer: Unknown)
Darius continues, sharing his views of the music from We Have Waited Too Long: “Given the style and era of this 1988 recording and leader Johnny Mekoa’s superb trumpet playing, listeners will be reminded of Paul Simon’s Graceland and their favorite songs from Hugh Masekela’s massive discography. Alto sax and flute, played by the now legendary Zim Ngqawana, tenor and soprano saxes played by Nic Paton plus Andrew Eagle on guitar complete the front line, a historic formation arranged like a little big band. Melvin Peters (long a top-rated pianist in SA), takes star turns on electric keyboard as well as taking care of the harmonies. Lulu Gontsana on drums lays down danceable ‘Township’ grooves and Victor Masondo’s fretless electric bass supports the band from the bottom up, contributing bad ass, witty fills. Rooted in local African tradition, short melodic phrases are repeated over layers of exciting interlocking parts, while solos reflect the influence of American jazz. Even the two softer pieces (‘We Have Waited Too Long’ and ‘Peace Meal’) combine all these dynamic elements. ‘Bayete’ sets the overall tone and pace with a couple of South African guitar licks that unleash the energy of the whole band as if they had indeed ‘waited too long’. Once they get started, there’s no stopping. The title of the final track, ‘Se Hamba Nabo’ (we go together) implies both an ending of an era and a new beginning. Such was the excitement of South Africa at the end of the ‘80s and this album captures what is great about South African jazz.”
Concerning the Brubecks’ partnership with Ubuntu Music, Darius elaborates: “Ubuntu Music is a great enabler, and we couldn’t have released this unique, historic recording without their ongoing direction and partnership.”
Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, provides his perspective: “We have had the privilege of working with the Brubecks on their catalogue of Darius Brubeck Quartet recordings as well as their latest release, ‘Live in Poland’. Our relationship has grown from strength to strength. When they advised us of the ‘We Have Waited Too Long’ project, I personally became fascinated and deeply interested in preserving the integrity of this historical recording. As someone who lived in South Africa, this had a special place in my life and in my soul. Peter Beckmann, Mastering Engineer of TechnologyWorks, managed to take old and somewhat decayed recorded material and restored the music to its original glory. We are so grateful to have been a part of this journey and know with confidence that the music will now live on forever. The Jazzanians are a part of our Family and will be a permanent fixture of our Ubuntu African spirit.”
For further information, please contact:
Catherine Brubeck: catherinebrubeck@gmail.com
Emma Perry (UK Publicity): emmasarahperry@gmail.com
Martin Hummel/Ubuntu Music (Worldwide): martin@ubuntumanagementgroup.com
The Jazzanians (left to right: Rick van Heerden, Nic Paton, Zim Nqawana, Johnny Mekoa) performing with Dave Brubeck (Photographer: Unknown)
Promo of the documentary film by Michiel Ten Kleij, Director
We have Waited Too Long: Excerpt from Album Liner Notes
This recording is a joyful expression of the creative interaction apartheid tried to stifle. The band, a special project dreamed up by my wife, Catherine, and under my direction, had a short lifespan because students come and go. Subsequently similar university groups organised at the Centre went out to the US and the rest of the world, but the Jazzanian break-through made all this possible.
– Darius Brubeck
The Jazzanians / We Have Waited Too Long / 2024 Album Cover