Legendary SA jazz saxophonist Winston Mankunku Ngozi dies

On Tuesday 13 October 2009 legendary SA jazz saxophonist Winston Mankunku Ngozi died at age 66 from a heart-related illness.

"His death is a huge loss to South Africa, particularly the music fraternity. We join many South Africans in paying tribute to this jazz icon who became a beacon of hope and inspired so many artists," ANC spokesperson Brian Sokutu said in a statement.

He said Ngozi used his talent to inspire social, economic, cultural and political change in the country.

Ngozi's recording in 1968 of the famous Yakhal' Inkomo album , together with Early Mabuza, Agrippa Magwaza and Lionel Pillay, earned him the "Jazz Musician of the Year" award.

Ngozi, better known as Mankunku, performed with many international artists including Chick Corea, Jack Van Poll, Dave Young, Joe Henderson, Mike Rossi, Toots Thielemans and Manu Dibango. "At this hour of great loss, our thoughts are with his family. May Tshawe's soul rest in peace," Sokutu said.

Winston Monwabisi Mankunku Ngozi was born in Retreat, Cape Town in 1943. His musicality emerged early on and was carefully nurtured by his mother, Gertrude. Having experimented with piano and trumpet he took up saxophone in his mid teens.

Along with one in three South Africans the Ngozi family was uprooted from their home and relocated to Gugulethu under the notorious Group Areas Act in the early "60"s. By this time however Winston was already working extensively.

John Coltrane was perhaps Winston"s greatest source of inspiration and his respect and admiration for "Trane" has endured right through Mankunku"s career to the present day.

In 1964 Mankunku did a concert at the Green Point Art Centre under the pseudonym Winston Mann and behind a curtain to avoid possible repercussions!

In 1968 he recorded the famous Yakhal"Nkomo album together with Early Mabuza, Agrippa Magwaza and Lionel Pillay. Although he received the Castle Lager "Jazz Musician of the Year" in the same year, and despite the fact that the album sold well Winston received barely any financial reward. Despite this Mankunku remained in South Africa and by now cynical of the racist - ridden SA Music Industry simply took the music to where the people live.

Winston Mankunku"s last album "Abantwana be Afrika" was recorded in Johannesburg 2003. Featured artists include: Andile Yenana (piano), who also co-produced this album, Herbie Tsoaeli (bass), Prince Lengoasa (Trumpet / Flugelhorn) and the late Lulu Gontsana (Drums).

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