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152:'s Club in London, and decided to stay on in Britain. Unfortunately, their arrival coincided with a downturn in the fortunes of jazz in the UK, as recording and gigging opportunities began drying up. There is also the suspicion that they were deliberately frozen out of the British scene by established local musicians, who considered them interlopers.
111:. It showed the band to be playing in a relatively straight ahead bebop style compared with their later work, also tracing the coming together of the definitive sextet. On the earliest sessions, only three members of the definitive line up (McGregor, Pukwana and Moyake) were present. By the time of the last sessions, documented on
371:
in Silver. The citation for the award stated, in part: "Blue Notes goes back to a golden age in South Africa's musical history. The multiracial band's eclectic and uniquely South
African rendition of jazz made them a noteworthy jazz band in the international halls of fame. They were once one of the
230:
big band project. This band, which essentially grew from the addition of
British musicians to the core Blue Notes line up, would come to full fruition in the early 1970s. While Brotherhood of Breath essentially succeeded The Blue Notes, the old name was used on various projects during the 1970s. In
128:, they understood that the only way they could play freely was by escaping the oppressive social and political climate of their home country. As a mixed-race band (McGregor the sole white member), they were especially prone to police harassment. In mid-1964, they left South Africa.
213:, was actually credited to "The Chris McGregor Group". Despite the pianist's star billing, this was very much a Blue Notes album with all the other members back in London and contributing. Compared to the 1964 South African recordings, this album demonstrated the growth of their
164:
which had recently been transformed into a virtual laboratory for the emerging
British avant garde jazz scene. Because of this, they are still considered a seminal influence on the new generation of British jazz musicians coming through in the late 1960s. Artists such as
181:
have long hailed them as true pioneers and a massive influence. However, by late 1965 the group was also beginning to fragment. Feza returned to
Copenhagen, while Dyani and Moholo-Moholo went on a South American tour with the soprano saxophonist
349:. He has now returned to live in South Africa, but continues to tour with different groups. He formed the Dedication Orchestra, a big band of all-star improvisors dedicated to playing the music of the South African exiles. His 2014 live album
155:
There soon followed a period playing in
Copenhagen, Denmark which McGregor identified as a turning point in their musical approach. They returned to London and were subsequently to be found playing almost exclusively at The Old Place in
390:
reviewer Chris May described the group's music as "exuberant jazz, often raucous, sometimes poignant," and noted: "Rising above the trauma that refugee status brings, the band's music... exhibited a resolve to live life to the full."
94:, it was rather an album featuring some of the Blue Notes in a big band put together by McGregor. This big band was intended to continue touring, but proved unworkable. Instead, The Blue Notes continued as a quintet, then sextet.
57:
on drums. After moving away from their home country in 1964, they established themselves on the
European jazz circuit, where they continued to play and record through the 1970s. They are now considered one of the great
383:
stated: "I was bowled over by these guys. There was an inherent freedom and flexibility in the playing, coupled with impressive technique and with a robust muscularity that I'd never heard live before."
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recalled that the Blue Notes "literally upturned the London jazz scene, helping to create an exciting climate in which other young players could develop their own ideas about musical freedom." Pianist
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returned to South Africa in 1965. He died of a brain tumour a year later. His place in The Blue Notes was eventually taken by another South
African,
562:
1567:
259:
634:
330:
continued to make records in
Britain, both under his own leadership and with McGregor. Pukwana died in 1990, only a month after McGregor.
140:
Jazz
Festival in France, the group decided stay in Europe. They spent some additional time in France before taking up club residencies in
1552:
1251:
954:
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moved to
Denmark in the early 1970s, where he continued to play and record extensively with a number of great musicians, including
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gave official recognition to the contribution of the Blue Notes to South African music by awarding the group the national
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most popular jazz bands in the country, often defying the tyrannical race laws of the country in order to perform."
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label. Meanwhile, Moyake had decided to return to South Africa permanently even before their arrival in the UK.
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launched the Blue Notes Tribute Orkestra in 2017 to bring greater recognition to the music of The Blue Notes.
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bands of their era, whose music was given a unique flavour by their integration of African styles such as
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going in various forms until his death in 1990. He had been a resident of France since the early 1970s.
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223:– Fledg'ling FLED 3069). Various combinations of the group recorded for the Ogun label subsequently.
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among others, before his death in 1975 aged only 30. The other Blue Notes then regrouped to record
183:
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leanings. Another recording was made for Polydor the same year, but was not released until 2008 (
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105:. These recordings were finally released in 2002 by the Proper Music label, on a CD entitled
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is still alive. He has participated in a huge number of recordings with such musicians as
8:
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620:, National Orders | The Order of Ikhamanga, The Presidency — Republic of South Africa.
308:. Dyani died in 1986, prompting another reunion of the surviving Blue Notes to record
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Years given are for the recording(s), not first release, unless stated otherwise.
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Years given are for the recording(s), not first release, unless stated otherwise.
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Years given are for the recording(s), not first release, unless stated otherwise.
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Years given are for the recording(s), not first release, unless stated otherwise.
793:
Years given are for the recording(s), not first release, unless stated otherwise.
148:, Switzerland for nearly a year. In April 1965, they played a short residency at
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The first recording opportunity for the Blue Notes came about in 1968 for the
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club, but returned to Cape Town to make their first studio recordings for the
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635:"Remembering the Blue Notes: South Africa's first generation of free jazz"
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Remaining in Johannesburg, they established a residency at the city's
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33:
were a South African jazz sextet, whose definitive line-up featured
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the early 1970s, Pukwana, Feza and Moholo were also members of the
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82:), they came to prominence at the 1963 National Jazz Festival in
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63:
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Circular Breathing: The Cultural Politics of Jazz in Britain
558:
Interview with Louis Moholo from the All About Jazz website
509:, Polydor 583 072 (unissued), Fledg'ling FLED 3069 (2008)
86:. An album recorded after the festival was released as
582:"Chris Macgregor and the Blue Notes", Afribeat.com.
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594:"Louis Moholo-Moholo Unit – For The Blue Notes"
78:(five of the group's six members came from the
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66:into the progressive jazz ideas of the time.
522:Chris McGregor and The Brotherhood of Breath
466:(5-CD box set and booklet with reissues of
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1252:The Nearer the Bone, the Sweeter the Meat
120:Like fellow South African jazz musicians
74:Although the band was initially based in
411:, Proper PRPCD 013 (2002, recorded 1964)
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117:, Feza, Dyani and Moholo were on board.
741:Blue Notes – The Ogun Collection review
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90:, but this was not a Blue Notes record
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355:pays tribute to his former bandmates.
103:South African Broadcasting Corporation
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443:, Ogun OGCD 037 (2012, recorded 1979)
419:, Ogun OGCD 007 (1995, recorded 1964)
226:Around this time, McGregor began his
19:For the Philadelphia soul group, see
1568:Recipients of the Order of Ikhamanga
747:"Chris Macgregor and the Blue Notes"
628:
626:
435:, Ogun OG 220 (1978, recorded 1977)
687:"Township Jazz: A Riot Busting Out"
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186:– subsequently recording the album
13:
1553:Musical groups established in 1964
1343:Irène Schweizer & Louis Moholo
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633:Ansell, Gwen (11 September 2017).
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21:Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
14:
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885:Legacy: Live in South Afrika 1964
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468:Legacy: Live in South Afrika 1964
416:Legacy: Live in South Afrika 1964
114:Legacy: Live in South Afrika 1964
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712:"The Blue Note Tribute Orkestra"
363:On 21 September 2007, President
333:Of the definitive line-up, only
207:. However, the resulting album,
136:After an appearance at the 1964
251:The Blue Notes Tribute Orkestra
1469:Dudu Phukwana and the "Spears"
893:Blue Notes in Concert Volume 1
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660:"Weaving the tapestry of jazz"
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611:
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432:Blue Notes in Concert Volume 1
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1:
1504:Spiritual Knowledge and Grace
1327:Spiritual Knowledge and Grace
1163:Spiritual Knowledge and Grace
568:
69:
1558:South African jazz ensembles
685:May, Chris (22 April 2022).
131:
7:
25:Blue Notes (disambiguation)
10:
1589:
1335:Opened, But Hardly Touched
563:The Blue Notes at AfriBeat
482:, Ogun OGCD 024-028 (2008)
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543:. Duke University Press.
520:McGregor, Maxine (1995).
427:, Ogun OGD 001/002 (1975)
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1300:Keep Your Heart Straight
501:, Polydor 184 137 (1968)
375:Author and photographer
162:Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club
88:Jazz – The African Sound
901:Before the Wind Changes
440:Before the Wind Changes
16:South African jazz band
1563:The Blue Notes members
859:Blue Notes for Mongezi
539:McKay, George (2006).
472:Blue Notes for Mongezi
424:Blue Notes for Mongezi
287:Blue Notes for Mongezi
252:
189:The Forest and the Zoo
23:. For other uses, see
1527:Brotherhood of Breath
1398:Brotherhood of Breath
1181:Brotherhood of Breath
1112:Good News from Africa
1046:Brotherhood of Breath
867:Blue Notes for Johnny
480:Blue Notes for Johnny
476:Blue Notes in Concert
448:Blue Notes for Johnny
322:Brotherhood of Breath
311:Blue Notes for Johnny
250:
228:Brotherhood of Breath
160:, the former home of
1573:Ogun Records Artists
1359:Sibanye (We Are One)
451:, Ogun OG 532 (1987)
262:, who played on the
243:After The Blue Notes
49:on tenor saxophone,
920:The Ogun Collection
664:Mail & Guardian
524:. Bamberger Books.
463:The Ogun Collection
335:Louis Moholo-Moholo
203:label, produced by
55:Louis Moholo-Moholo
45:on alto saxophone,
1367:For the Blue Notes
1136:Echoes from Africa
743:. Moment's Notice.
369:Order of Ikhamanga
352:For the Blue Notes
253:
1540:
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1472:(1968 & 1969)
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1410:
1375:Uplift the People
1194:
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1120:Witchdoctor's Son
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290:as a tribute, on
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1515:Related articles
1477:In the Townships
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1386:Related articles
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1023:In His Good Time
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666:. 19 April 1996
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1453:
1445:Dudu Pukwana
1392:
1373:
1365:
1357:
1349:
1341:
1333:
1325:
1306:
1298:
1290:
1282:
1274:
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1250:
1236:
1228:Louis Moholo
1185:
1161:
1144:Angolian Cry
1142:
1134:
1126:
1118:
1110:
1096:
1088:Johnny Dyani
1040:
1021:
1002:
994:
986:
972:
918:
912:Compilations
899:
891:
883:
865:
857:
851:Township Bop
849:
834:Louis Moholo
832:
827:Johnny Dyani
825:
818:
813:Dudu Pukwana
811:
806:Mongezi Feza
804:
797:
792:
783:
720:. Retrieved
715:
706:
694:. Retrieved
690:
680:
668:. Retrieved
663:
654:
642:. Retrieved
638:
618:"Blue Notes"
613:
601:. Retrieved
598:Ogun Records
597:
588:
577:
540:
521:
504:
496:
479:
475:
471:
467:
461:
446:
438:
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408:Township Bop
406:
395:Marcus Wyatt
393:
385:
374:
362:
350:
339:Cecil Taylor
332:
328:Dudu Pukwana
326:
316:
309:
298:Johnny Dyani
296:
292:Ogun Records
285:
274:Robert Wyatt
272:played with
270:Mongezi Feza
268:
263:
254:
225:
218:
208:
198:
187:
175:John Stevens
154:
150:Ronnie Scott
135:
122:Dollar Brand
119:
112:
108:Township Bop
106:
98:
96:
91:
87:
84:Johannesburg
80:Eastern Cape
73:
51:Johnny Dyani
43:Dudu Pukwana
41:on trumpet,
39:Mongezi Feza
30:
29:
1496:Live albums
1351:Remembrance
1319:Live albums
1155:Live albums
1015:Live albums
996:Up to Earth
988:Very Urgent
923:(1964-1987)
877:Live albums
506:Up to Earth
498:Very Urgent
456:Compilation
401:Discography
365:Thabo Mbeki
347:Stan Tracey
343:Evan Parker
306:Mal Waldron
264:Very Urgent
260:Ronnie Beer
220:Up to Earth
210:Very Urgent
179:John Surman
171:Evan Parker
1547:Categories
1004:Our Prayer
569:References
377:Val Wilmer
302:Don Cherry
278:Elton Dean
184:Steve Lacy
70:Early days
37:on piano,
1292:Ancestors
1268:Foxes Fox
1260:Bush Fire
716:The Orbit
320:kept his
282:Henry Cow
266:session.
233:afro-rock
215:free jazz
132:In Europe
76:Cape Town
60:free jazz
1308:4 Blokes
1284:Naan Tso
1276:Khumbula
722:19 April
696:19 April
670:19 April
644:19 April
205:Joe Boyd
194:ESP-Disk
192:for the
99:Downbeat
1532:Assagai
1403:Assagai
487:As the
237:Assagai
201:Polydor
138:Antibes
1507:(1979)
1488:(1975)
1480:(1973)
1378:(2017)
1370:(2012)
1362:(2007)
1354:(1988)
1346:(1986)
1338:(1980)
1330:(1979)
1311:(2013)
1303:(2011)
1295:(2011)
1287:(2004)
1279:(2004)
1271:(1999)
1263:(1995)
1255:(1979)
1166:(1979)
1147:(1985)
1139:(1979)
1131:(1978)
1123:(1978)
1115:(1973)
1026:(1977)
1007:(1969)
999:(1969)
991:(1968)
904:(1979)
896:(1977)
888:(1964)
870:(1987)
862:(1975)
854:(1964)
718:. 2014
603:31 May
547:
528:
478:, and
359:Legacy
146:Geneva
142:Zurich
92:per se
491:Group
235:band
64:Kwela
724:2023
698:2023
672:2023
646:2023
605:2023
545:ISBN
526:ISBN
345:and
304:and
280:and
177:and
144:and
124:and
1549::
714:.
689:.
662:.
637:.
625:^
596:.
474:,
470:,
341:,
314:.
294:.
276:,
239:.
173:,
169:,
1437:e
1430:t
1423:v
1220:e
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956:e
949:t
942:v
776:e
769:t
762:v
726:.
700:.
674:.
648:.
607:.
553:.
534:.
27:.
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