Iain S. Thomas: 2007

Monday, May 21, 2007

Johnnie Walker Pioneering Spirits of Jazz Monument

Silver Loerie 2007, Cannes Finalist 2008, Featured in X-ings: Shaping Culture Through Design Exhibition, University Of Pretoria Design Archive Permanent Collection.

Jazz pioneers
engraved in stone

In the steps of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Johnnie Walker Pioneering Spirits of Jazz were given stars in the granite around Mary Fitzgerald Square.

May 22, 2007

By Lucky Sindane

A WALK of Fame was unveiled in the Newtown cultural precinct on Saturday, 19 May to honour nine jazz legends for their contribution to the country's unique interpretation of jazz music.

The Johnnie Walker Pioneering Spirits of Jazz honoured Miriam Makeba, Winston Mankunku, Hotep Idris Galeta, Jonas Gwangwa, Kippie Moeketsi, Chris McGregor, Basil 'Manenberg' Coetzee, Zakes Nkosi and Ntemi Piliso at Bassline in Newtown.

A panel that included music producers, industry archivists and jazz writers identified these legends.

Jonas Gwangwa receives an award from Sammy Mafu head of marketing at the Johannesburg Development Agency

Attending the event was Gauteng MEC for sport, arts, culture and recreation Barbara Creecy; musicians and jazz legends.

Creecy said: "The 1940s and 1950s were indeed difficult times, the height of the pass system and apartheid era, but these jazz musicians found creative expression in their music, which gave hope and joy to so many in the communities in which they lived then, both here and later abroad. [They were also an] inspiration for our new generation so that the wonderful sounds represented by these Pioneering Spirits of Jazz are still in evidence today."

Similar to Hollywood's Walk of Fame, the pioneer's names are engraved on the granite. Next to their names are inspirational stories about the musicians.

"I've received awards before but this the best way to be honoured," said Jonas Gwangwa. "I am particularly delighted about the People's Choice fund to uplift the youth in Jazz. This more than anything strengthens my belief in the need to have such events as the Pioneering Sprits of Jazz Walk of Fame. The legacy we have created is then continued."

Sindiswa Mbude, Johnnie Walker's Marketing Manager said although some of the Jazz Pioneers may have received international recognition, not much has been done in South Africa to honor them.

"They are the spirit of our unique SA jazz legacy which dates back to the early years of the 20th century, beginning with the sounds of Marabi drawing people into the shebeen to our new modern strains. This is why we decided to create a platform to recognize and honor them. We want to recognize the artists' own personal journeys and will be documenting this as a way to inspire others to take those first steps in realizing their passion," said Mbude.

The granite Walk of Fame is next to Mary Fitzgerald Square, along the way to Bassline. Members of the public had a chance to vote for their jazz pioneer and Hotep Idris Galeta was named the people's choice jazz pioneer.

He received a cheque of R30 000 to use towards the upliftment and promotion of jazz.

Upon receiving the award Galeta said, " I feel extremely honoured for the recognition from Johnnie Walker and humbled by the tribute it had made to the jazz musicians of South Africa."

"We are confident that amateur, innovative young jazz artists will follow their dreams and be inspired by the stories of the jazz greats that are being honoured through this important initiative, and continue to take South African jazz into new creative directions," Creecy concluded.

Taken from: http://www.johannesburg.gov.za/2007/may/may22_walkoffame.stm