Mthutuzeli Dudu Pukwana (18 July 1938 – 30 June 1990) was a South African saxophonist and composer.<!--alternative date of death: June 28 according to Jazz Rough Guide-->

Early years in South Africa

Dudu Pukwana was born in Walmer Township, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. In 1962, Pukwana won first prize at the Johannesburg Jazz Festival with Moyake's Jazz Giants (1962, Gallo/Teal). In his early days, he also played with Kippie Moeketsi. Chris McGregor then invited him to join the pioneering Blue Notes sextet, where he played along with Mongezi Feza, Nikele Moyake, Johnny Dyani and Louis Moholo. Although the Blue Notes are often considered McGregor's group, Pukwana was initially the principal composer and all the group members had pivotal roles.

Emigration to Europe

As mixed-race groups were illegal under apartheid, the Blue Notes, increasingly harassed by authorities, emigrated to Europe in 1964, playing in France and Zürich, and eventually settling in London.

Assagai, Spear and Zila, etc.

He also went on to form two groups with Feza and Moholo. The first was Assagai, an afro rock band that recorded for the Vertigo label. The second was Spear, with whom he recorded the seminal afro-jazz album In the Townships in 1973 for Virgin Records at The Manor Studio. Assagai and Spear, which recorded a few albums in the early 1970s, blended kwela rhythms, rocking guitars, and jazz solos.

Pukwana's playing was heard in many diverse settings including recordings of Mike Heron, Centipede and Toots and the Maytals (Reggae Got Soul) as well as improvising with Misha Mengelberg and Han Bennink (Yi Yo Le, ICP 1978).

With Mongezi Feza, Elton Dean, Keith Tippett, and Louis Moholo, Pukwana recorded two acoustic tracks on the mostly electric album Diamond Express (Freedom 1977). The death of his friend Mongezi Feza in 1975 also inspired the heart-rending Blue Notes for Mongezi (Ogun Records), alongside Blue Notes colleagues Johnny Dyani, Chris McGregor and Louis Moholo. He also guested on albums with his former Blue Notes colleague, Johnny Dyani, particularly Witchdoctor's Son (1978, SteepleChase Records), which features some of his best recorded work, and played extensively with the drummer John Stevens. Several African leaders invited him into their groups, including Hugh Masekela (Home Is Where the Music Is, 1972) and trombonist Jonas Gwangwa (African Explosion, Who, Ngubani 1969).

On 16 April 1990, Pukwana took part in the Nelson Mandela Tribute held at Wembley Stadium. He died in London of liver failure

  • Six Empty Places with A Tent (Cherry Red, 1981)
  • Soundtrack to Cry Freedom by George Fenton and Jonas Gwangwa (MCA, 1987)

References

  • Biography of Mtutuzeli Dudu Pukwana- by Nick Mencia, at South African History Online (SAHO)
  • "Dudu Pukwana" at discogs.com
  • "Kwela: A Celebration Of The Music Of Dudu Pukwana" at pacificaradioarchives.org