10 African songs for International Jazz Day

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, International Jazz Day celebrations will be held online. Despite various lockdown restrictions, lovers of jazz will unite yet again to celebrate this important genre.

To celebrate International Jazz Day in Africa, we have curated a playlist of jazz pioneers and contemporary musicians who have successfully taken on the genre and defined a sound for the rest of the world to follow.

Yakhal’inkomo by Sibongile Khumalo

The song was released as part of Sibongile Khumalo’s The Essential album in 2017. There are few stronger voices in African jazz than Sibongile Khumalo’s and this live performance is testament to that.

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Never (Lagos Never Gonna Be The Same) by Tony Allen and Hugh Masekela

Recorded in 2010, this ode to Fela Kuti is by legends Hugh Masekela and Tony Allen. It was part of the duo’s 2020 album Rejoice. Sadly, Masekela passed away two years before its release.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4ckbxqrCIc autoplay:0]

The Coming of the Strange Ones by Shabaka and the Ancestors

We Are Sent Here By History is arguably one of the most important jazz albums of 2020 worldwide. The selected track here features a whirling conversation between the brass instruments.

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Yekermo Sew by Mulatu Astatke

‘Yekermo Sew’, which translates to ‘a man of experience and wisdom’ is one Mulatu Astakte‘s signature pieces. The featured track is off the Ethiopiques, Vol. 4: Ethio Jazz 1969-1974 album.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejgpiWZHH34 autoplay:0]

Morwa by Jonas Gwangwa

Morwa was released in 2007 on the Collection album and is a great example of South African jazz.

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Soul Makossa by Manu Dibango 

This 1972 single is regarded as one of the first disco records, but its jazz/fusion infuneces are undeniable. The eternal ‘Soul Makossa’ is off the late Manu Dibango’s Soul Makossa & Lily album. 

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PblSmVR7hCk autoplay:0]

Muthurwa by the Nairobi Horns Project

The song is part of the Kenyan band’s debut album Black in Gold, which was released in 2019. 

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVnFWoey_gI&list=PLxKnAk9ywLH7vsEYWG-kqorNRuTAP77yc autoplay:0]

Baleka by Nono Nkoane

‘Baleka’ is off Nono Nkoane’s 2015 album True Call. In the song, she reminds the listener of her idol, the late Miriam Makeba.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaRvuZUhNTE autoplay:0]

Grazing in the Grass by Hugh Masekela

The instrumental single was released in 1968. Following its release, the song went to No 1 on the US pop charts and sold more than 4 million copies. It it off Bra Hugh’s studio albumThe Promise of a Future. 

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKcGCObEb28 autoplay:0]

Somandla by Mandisi Dyantyis 

‘Somandla’ is the title track of Mandisi Dyantyis’ 2018 album. The simple but effective music video was shot and edited by David Stone. 

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