Dudu Pukwana

Dudu Pukwana was raised playing piano. However, after meeting Nick Moyake in 1956, Dudu switched to alto and became a better pianist. He won the first prize at 1962’s Johannesburg Jazz Festival with Moyake and his Jazz Giants (1962 Gallo/Teal). Chris McGregor invited him to the Blue Notes. The interracial sextet became increasingly harassed and went into exile in 1964. He played in France, Zurich, London. Pukwana’s fiery voice could be heard in McGregor’s Brotherhood of Breath and the Blue Notes. He also improvised with Misha Mengelberg (Yi Yo Le), ICP 1978. Pukwana was a composer and wrote “Mra”, one of the most beloved tunes by the Brotherhood. Assagai and Spear were his own bands, and recorded several albums in the early 1970s. They combined kwela rhythms with rocking guitars and jazz solos. Pukwana, Elton Dean and Keith Tippett recorded two acoustic tracks together on the mostly electric album Diamond Express (19 Freedom 1977). His presence was felt also in Moholo’s Spirits Rejoice! and Harry Miller’s Isipingo. Hugh Masekela, Jonas Gwangwa, trombonist, and Jonas Gwangwa, both African leaders, invited him to their groups. Pukwana established Jika Records in 1978 and started his own band, Zila. He was joined by Lucky Ranku, a South African guitarist, and Miss Pinise Sul, a powerful singer. Zila Sounds (1981), Zila (1983), Live in Bracknell, Willisau (1983) and Zila (1986) were all recorded by Zila. The last one featured Django Bates as keyboardist and Pukwana using more soprano-sax. He recorded the free session They Shoot to Kill, which he performed in duo with John Stevens. It was dedicated to Johnny Dyani. Dudu Pukwana, who died in June 1990 from liver failure, was recorded by allmusic

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