South Africa: Miriam Makeba in Focus

analysis

As we continue to observe Jazz Appreciation Month, it is important to remember that JAM 2011 is dedicated to the legacy of Women in Jazz. Women have been involved with Jazz since its inception, but very often, their achievements are not well known, and the value of their contribution is overlooked and not given due representation. This year's celebration of women in jazz is therefore noteworthy and commendable, as it will give us a chance to know a little but more about some special women who are icons of music and jazz. In our last contribution, we did a little piece on Mary Lon Williams and Ella Fitzerald, we will now continue this momentum by bringing the discussion closer to home, and pay tribute to Africa's contribution to jazz with a feature on Miriam Makeba of South Africa.

Before we explore the life and work of Miriam Makeba, let us take a brief look at the evolution of what is now called Jazz - the music of jazz was founded in the southern part of the United States in the 1800's and in the early years, it was spelt "Jass". The word Jazz began as west coast slang and was first used to refer to music from Chicago around 1915. Jazz almost defies definition, as there are many types and styles of it. Its original style was a combination of ragtime (piano) music with experimental orchestral techniques, with its cultural origins being New Orleans, Louisiana in early 1910's. Its stylistic origins also include the blues, folk music and the marching band.

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