Wynton Marsalis - South African Songbook

April 30, 2024 9:35 AM

The Jazz Lincoln Center Orchestra feat. Wynton Marsalis [1h43m] "The South African Songbook is a musical celebration of South African democracy, 25 years after apartheid's end. With special guests Nonhlanhla Kheswa, Melanie Scholtz, Vuyo Sotashe, McCoy Mrubata, Nduduzo Makhathini and Thandi Ntuli."

I have to admit, I know nothing about any of the music presented here, but it is lovely music. And Wynton and others do a bit of educating here and there during the program. I heartily recommend a listen if you have even half an inclination.

posted by hippybear (3 comments total)

We saw The Jazz Lincoln Center Orchestra feat. Wynton Marsalis when they came through here a few months ago. Great show. Catch them if you can.
posted by neuron at 3:25 PM on April 30

For more education by Wynton, check out the Ken Burns Jazz series. Even 25 years ago the man's enthusiasm for the subject was hard to hide, definitely the reason he was the interviewee with the most screen time across the 15-ish hours of the documentary.
posted by everdred at 8:20 AM on May 2

Make sure you listen to the whole thing -- second half is, to my mind, a lot more interesting than the first.

I did my junior semester of study abroad in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, and a local grad student I met during my time there turned me on to South African jazz. Specifically, he urged me to pick up Zim Ngqawana's CD. The most memorable track was Qula Kwedini, which gets a terrific rendition midway through the Lincoln Center event.
posted by HeroZero at 9:48 AM on May 13