Jazz in Africa

African Jazz was generally originated in South Africa. During the music’s humble beginnings, it was a mirror of the jazz scene in America with strong African influences. And later went on to become a cultural phenomenon as a similar style was found in all countries of Africa.

= Marabi = yeahThe beginnings of the genre were composed usually of a single voice as well as a pump organ or acoustic guitar. The gigs were generally similar to small venue clubs and were a way for local families to make some money by selling moonshine. The black ghettos in Johannesburg were the first sites of these cultural explosions of music. The parties were notoriously wild and the local families usually sold moonshine alcohol in order to make money since jobs were scarce. The musical style was usually one monotonous four bar beat that was played with one hand and intricate improvisations were made with the other hand. Marabi was not just a form of music; similar to the negro gospels and blues styles found in the southern United States, the music served as an escape from the daily oppressions that were constantly over their heads. As the years progressed different elements of many visitors and outside influences added to the simple style. Fiddles, maracas, xylophones, and various other instruments easily found a way to complement the primitive sounds.

Since bands performed in unauthorized places and usually sold alcohol illegally, violence sometimes ensued and the venues were viewed by the government as a gathering of vagrants. Usually the law enforcement of the towns were constantly threatening to exile the music as well as the followers and artists. The entire scene was looked down upon by the higher class which gave Marabi it’s name as the word mean gangsters in a native South African language. Country wide travel of musicians and the fact that South Africa was a hub for African musicians throughout the surrounding regions raised popularity. In a short while, the scenes became increasingly diverse.

Mbquanga

With the introduction of swing, Marabi was launched into new levels. The beats of this contemporary music were added to this musical collage. Horn instruments were popular in the genre at this time and other instruments such as flutes and the new form became wildly popular in the growing street scene. This was popular during the 1950’s and artists were beginning to receive recognition. Once Jive music began to evolve from swing and African influences a new form of the music was born. Mbquanga was an infectious form of Jive with a more African feel. With Mbquanga, actual bands became apparent and groups began to play the genre throughout the world some groups such as the Manhattan Brothers began to perform in the U.S. as well as many Groups in nightclubs and such in Southern America.

Jazz Now

Jazz in Africa has become quite popular. Groups began to appear sporadically in large cities in most African countries. Some famous artists of the genre include Orchestra Baobab of Senegal, Habib Koite of Mali, and other artists hailing from Uganda and other various countries with a European colonial history.