Bra Johnny Mekoa: Jazz Giant

Bra Johnny Mekoa: Jazz Giant

Bra Johnny was born John Ramakhobotla Mekoa on 11 April 1945. Mekoa was a man who had had the foot of the apartheid system at his throat, but had fought back with everything he had.

In 1967, Mekoa started performing professionally with the Early Mabuza Big Five, playing trumpet and flugelhorn. “It was an incredible band,” recalls Mekoa. The band comprised Mabuza on drums, Ernest Mothle on double bass and Busi Mhlongo on vocals, as well as (Barney) Rachabane and (Pat) Matshikiza.

Mekoa broke away in 1968 and formed his band, the Jazz Ministers, with founding members Aubrey Simani (alto), Furnace Goduka (tenor), Duncan Madondo (tenor), Fanyana Sehloho (bass), Shepstone Sothoane (drums) and Boy Ngwenya (piano). Composer Victor Ndlazilwana joined later as musical director. In 1972, the band was invited to perform at the Newport Jazz Festival in the United States, but were denied visas for the trip. Mekoa said he was bitterly disappointed. It was a disappointment he got used to.

Mekoa said his quest to get a music education at the University of Natal and Indiana University was with one goal in mind: “I had this thing in me that one day I was going to open a music school.”

Bra Johnny established the Music Academy of Gauteng in 1994, which has become a centre of jazz excellence, with luminaries such as Malcolm Jiyane, Mthunzi Mvubu, Mpho Mabogoane (female trombonist), Nthabiseng Mokoena and Linda Tshabalala (both female saxophonists), to mention but a few. The centre has also focused on teaching jazz music to children from impoverished backgrounds.

Mekoa identified their talents and nurtured them to become the thoroughgoing jazz musicians that they are today. This is a story of hope that the South African society should pride itself on. Mekoa’s excellent work has seen his centre being awarded the prestigious International Jazz Education Network Award in five consecutive years.

The renowned American music and jazz legend Quincy Jones, who is in the advisory board of Jazz Education Network, took pride in the achievements of the academy. The University of Pretoria and University of South Africa respectively bestowed Johnny Mekoa with two honorary doctorates, for his excellence in music and contribution to society.

Sources:
Wikipedia.
Gwen Ansell, “What the Lives of Two South African Music Giants Tell Us About Culture Under Apartheid”, The Conversation, 13 July 2017.
Lloyd Gedye, “Musician. Teacher. Raconteur”, Mail & Guardian, 14 July 2017.
Gwen Ansell, “Biopic Misrepresents Miles Davis in the Life of a South African Freedom Fighter”, The Conversation, 3 January 2018.

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