WeeklySA_AdminVIRTUOSO:Budding jazz legend’s musical life remembered
By Gugu Sibiya
A Note To Taiwa – A Reflective Essay On The Music Of Moses Molelekwa is the newly published book that celebrates the late young jazz maestro’s prowess in the genre.
When Taiwa passed away, jazz aficionados were just sitting up to take notice, spellbound by a genius in the making. He didn’t disappoint. At 27, his wizardry on the piano, mastery of his craft and the finesse in his delivery, had had the industry buzzing. For once, seasoned aficionados, scribes and critics were in unison about Taiwa’s genius. They were collectively entranced by a rising star with jazz seemingly coursing through his veins. And most impressive for one so young, he was dedicatedly focused and purposeful about his magical journey. Judging by the quality of the offerings he dropped at the time, he had a bright future ahead of him in the genre. Jazz lovers and avid collectors were still hankering to hear more from him, then death unceremoniously cut his life short…
Taiwa’s musical life and the passion he had for jazz, is precisely what author Phehello Mofokeng is trying poignantly to bring to the fore. In approaching his subject, he remains objective throughout the book, celebrating his genius, exploring the love, sensitivity and integrity Taiwa brought to it. The author is mesmerised at how Taiwa changed the face of jazz when he built a bridge between kwaito and it. He believes it was his way of giving a nod to the genre that changed thousands of youngsters’ lives across the country. Often viewed as a preserve for “ ol’ timers”, jazz became his cue to communicate his talent to the world. Not only that, he also effortlessly brought jazz closer to his same-age mates. A love for kwaito that saw him break class barriers by extending a hand to the Black working class.
Elevating it a notch higher, Mofokeng admits to drawing references from essential writers like Amiri Baraka, Adorno and Allan Ginsberg, “who once saw themselves at the crossroads of a cultural revolution in the US.” Mofokeng positions Taiwa’s music as a response to “the question: why jazz matters”, posed by Leroi Jones (Amiri Baraka). He says the book also borrows from Bebey, Baraka, Hrebeniak Porter and other jazz scholars. A focus on its influence on the continent’s music. Most significant that Africa remains the root of the founders of jazz. Undoubtedly, Taiwa impacted jazz in an unbelievably profound manner. He influenced young men who are in the jazz fold today. Mofokeng’s book and his albums will definitely keep his legacy alive. I suppose the burning question will always be where would he be now, musically, if he was still alive”.
The book is available from most major retailers in the country
