By Doreen Mokgolo
To commemorate marabi music and Marabastad in Tshwane, legendary jazz musician Norman Chauke has composed a song titled Marabi a ko Marabastad.
The song will be played for the first time at the State Theatre on 4 March, when Chauke will be joined by fellow jazz musicians Azah Mphago, Gabi Motuba and Ayanda Sikade.
The initiative is set to be an annual event that will showcase jazz talent while paying tribute to Marabastad in Tshwane, where the genre was born.
Chauke said the Marabi genre was started by mine workers using different musical instruments during their free periods from work to pass the time. It has a musical link to American Jazz and the blues, and deep roots in African traditional music.
“I grew up listening to my father, who was a jazz artist, and his band members rehearsing in our garage on weekdays preparing for their weekend gigs.
“They played a lot of Marabi music, and from that young age, I knew that I wanted to be a jazz musician. This is where I first learned to play the piano and other musical instruments,” Chauke explained.
Chauke says it is musicians’ responsibility to ensure that the genre doesn’t fade away and the torch is passed on to young and upcoming musicians.
He has dedicated his time and skills to teaching young people in Soshanguve and Hammanskraal technical music — which includes reading and writing music and learning to play the piano.
“I believe that through these initiatives we are passing the baton of Marabi musicians to the next generation,” he added.
Pictured above: Norman Chauke
Image source: Supplied
