South African jazz-folk singer Miriam Makeba died after collapsing on stage in Italy. A sad loss, especially at this moment when an African son has won the White House.
My knowledge of Makeba and her music is slight. Somehow she wound up on a recording I made of a jazz program on KPFA in Berkeley many years ago. I was trying to capture an extended Coltrane jam and the deejay threw in a few pieces by Makeba. It’s been a long time since I’ve listened to the tape — not even sure where it is! — but what I remember is the amazing voice of this woman, somehow melding free-form ideas from jazz with the highly structured and rhythmic stylings of African folk. I also admired how provocative she was, challenging her audience by providing the subversive back stories to the songs she sang. Farewell, Ms. Makeba.
I just read about this on one of my favorite blogs. Have to admit, I haven’t heard of Makeba before, but let’s dig out that tape of yours, okay?
This is what I wanted to link to, but it didn’t work above.
http://www.myhusbandbetty.com/2008/11/10/miriam-makeba/