Jazz Fought the struggle and won: the inspiring story of the jazz freedom fighters in exile lead by the magician of the ostinato – Johnny Mbizo Dyani.
The Homecoming Tour of 2022, was 36 years in the making, one full year of pre-production and stood up to its billing as a first for South Africa, the Eastern Cape and Buffalo City by providing a collaboration between veteran international musicians and young Eastern Cape musicians; Workshop in Duncan Village for future students of the music; Introduction of the music of Johnny Dyani to schools, academies and teachers; Celebration of music and freedom through a concert at Steve Biko Centre and the singing the praises of a great unsung hero of Eastern Cape.
The MC at the Gompo Arts Centre, Keanetse Mokhothu, told the audience at the workshop that Johnny Dyani was born in Duncan Village and therefore that “he was one of us” there was a huge sigh of astonishment… “One of us?” this sigh signalled – “Are you sure? One of us who left the country, fought against apartheid from abroad, and got other people involved who fought with him and supported his cause – and then, to top it all – came back spiritually with his music and colleagues playing his music, keeping alive the memory and rich cultural roots of his South African home?” These sighs, not just one, but several, were sighs of pride, wonder and astonishment – and joy to be part of this amazing story right there and then.
This skills transfer is built on the legacy of the inspiring story of the jazz freedom fighters in exile lead by the magician of the ostinato – Johnny Mbizo Dyani.
Born in Duncan Village, East London 30 November 1945, Johnny Mbizo Dyani is perhaps one of the greatest unsung heroes of South African music and may have remained as such were it not for the efforts of Kultur im Ghetto founder Jürgen Leinhos.
For the 36 years since Dyani’s untimely death in Berlin, Leinhos has continued Dyani’s message of musical collaboration and activism through the hosting of 100 Jazz Against Apartheid concerts, in Europe and America. These concerts united and profiled the liberation movement whilst connecting to the progressive cultural activism of the Germans during this period through artistic collaborations between jazz musicians of South African origin in exile and their European counterparts as well as painters, poets, photographers, dancers and writers.
In 2021 President Cyril Ramaphosa bestowed the Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo in silver on Leinhos for his commitment and determination for standing by the oppressed and fighting for their cause as an anti-apartheid activist.
This recognition opened the gateway to bring Dyani’s legacy and Jazz Against Apartheid home to its roots in the Eastern Cape. As Leinhos said in his acceptance speech, ““Our concern was and is to save this art of exile from oblivion with the music of Johnny Dyani. In our project Jazz against Apartheid we therefore also see a key for the cultural memory of South Africa.”
The partnership between Sausage Films(SF) and Kultur im Ghetto(KiG) staged Rehearsals, Workshop and Concerts at Gompo Arts Centre in Duncan Village, House 87 in East London and the Steve Biko Centre, King Williamstown. The events were supported by Hessische Federal State in Germany, German Embassy, Pretoria, Eastern Cape Development Corporation, Buffalo City Metropolitan Tourism and D’Addario Music Shop.
A REVIEW OF HOMECOMING TOUR BY VUSI MACINGWANE MCHUNU
The labour of passion, perseverance, persuasion and action to birth this fresh start for South Africa was a roller-coaster ride of dangerous swerves, heaving dips, suspension in the air for the entire year in 2022. But, still it was only a tiny trek compared to the three decades long uphill walk of Jazz Against Apartheid co-founder, Juergen Leinhos, and the Administrator, Elisabeth Ehrhorn. With conviction and commitment SF pushed very hard to bring JAA back home, with the hopes at times ebbing, as the sponsors, funders and supporters in services were very slow in committing to the project. We learned a lesson that when the going gets tough, all have to ignore little irritations and impatience with each other. Those are simply symptoms of this air of frustration. We also went through those dark moments of being in a cherished boat, holding on the rails, as it begins to sink. Ithemba kalilahlwa- never give up hope!
Like a magnet field attracting aligned metals, once a significant funder put money into the projects’s account, the many other sponsors woke up from their slumber and came on board. What an unbelievable relief! Struan and Elisabeth could then start firmly committing to the musicians, the venues, the flight tickets and accommodation.
“Music and Art played a critical role in the struggle against apartheid, it gave hope that in the end humanity will triumph over adversity and small-mindedness. Music and art energized our liberation struggle and built consciousness and belief in the cause of our struggle. As we engage in the most complex and most difficult phase of struggle for economic emancipation in South Africa we remember the contributions of these unsung heroes and heroins of our struggle.”
Vuyani Jarana
The pre-concert drama on 18 December at the Steve Biko Centre, was two-fold. The FIFA World Cup Final was just starting when the JAA Homecoming Band also had to begin playing. When load-shedding set in, the promised solution via a generator could not happen, as there was a malfunction.
Jazz fans had come and had to be told that we will only start 3 hours later when the electricity is back. Perhaps only two couples demanded a refund and left.
In total darkness punctured by phone lights, a few ladies started singing traditional songs. Daniel, the bandleader and Lex Futshane, the bassist improvised a few tunes. Just to hold the bay.
There was euphoria when the lights banged back on. I do not have the superlative adjectives to capture the performance of the JAA Band. Melodic beauty, the pace of the percussion and drums, the soar of the voices. We were mesmerized by one tune after the other. Also outstanding was veteran vocalist Retsi Pule’s rendition of “Namhlanje Siyajabula”. He inserted lyrics that celebrated the return of Mbizo’s music to his country and to his hometown of origins.
Johnny Dyani’s music is urgent, pressing, circular, deeply penetrating, surging forward . Very percussive and very underground like West Coast bands in the USA during the time of the Hippies and anti-Vietnam war struggles. I heard the Afro Cubano conga and the Ghanaian cow bell. Like the SUN RA Arkestra & the Chicago Art Ensemble. Ancient and African folk, Ancient like Egypt, and yet Afro Futuristic.
We decided to make the event a benefit concert and we donated the proceeds to the Steve Biko Centre. What memorable 4 days for all who participated in this Jazz Against Apartheid Homecoming 2022 Project!
36 years in the making, one full year of pre-production, the Jazz Against Apartheid Homecoming Tour stood up to its billing as a first for South Africa, the Eastern Cape and Buffalo City by providing a collaboration between veteran international musicians and young Eastern Cape musicians; Workshop in Duncan Village for future students of the music; Introduction of the music of Johnny Dyani to schools, academies and teachers; Celebration of music and freedom through a concert at Steve Biko Centre and the singing the praises of a great unsung hero of Eastern Cape.
The partnership between Sausage Films(SF) and Kultur im Ghetto(KiG) staged Rehearsals, Workshop and Concerts at Gompo Arts Centre in Duncan Village, House 87 in East London and the Steve Biko Centre, King Williamstown. The events were supported by Hessische Federal State in Germany, German Embassy, Pretoria, Eastern Cape Development Corporation, Buffalo City Metropolitan Tourism and D’Addario Music Shop.
The MC of the JAA Homecoming event, told the audience at the workshop that Johnny Dyani was born in Duncan Village and therefore that “he was one of us” there was a huge sigh of astonishment… “One of us?” this sigh signalled – “Are you sure? One of us who left the country, fought against apartheid from abroad, and got other people involved who fought with him and supported his cause – and then, to top it all – came back spiritually with his music and colleagues playing his music, keeping alive the memory and rich cultural roots of his South African home?” These sighs, not just one, but several, were sighs of pride, wonder and astonishment – and joy to be part of this amazing story right there and then.