Ojoyo Plays Safrojazz, by Ojoyo

Ojoyo Plays Safrojazz

by Ojoyo

supported by

johnguth i played on it and love the band!

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

$9 USD or more
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
Digipak edition of "Ojoyo Plays Safrojazz".

Includes unlimited streaming of Ojoyo Plays Safrojazz via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 4 days

Purchasable with gift card

$12.98 USD or more

1.	Station Road Strut 05:01	info	buy track
2.	Forward Motion 06:37	info	buy track
3.	Harare 06:35	info	buy track
4.	Madagascar 06:08	info	buy track
5.	Dolphin Jive 06:04	info	buy track
6.	Little Song 07:29	info	buy track
7.	Cape Doctor 07:10	info	buy track
8.	Rockwela 05:48	info	buy track
9.	Sophiatown Society 05:17	info	buy track

about

16 bit / 44k

Saxophonist, penny whistle master, and composer Morris Goldberg is perhaps best known for his association with Hugh Masekela. In 1996 he formed the first version of Ojoyo, a group that features his often-celebratory compositions, folk-like melodies that, like the songs of Abdullah Ibrahim, pay homage to his roots in South Africa. The catchy rhythms which are often irresistible, Goldberg’s memorable themes, and the atmospheric ensembles are quite accessible yet, due to the leader’s alto and penny whistle solos and the contributions of his sidemen, music is creative and has its surprising moments.

Ojoyo Plays Safrojazz, the 25th Anniversary reissue of Ojoyo’s first album whose sound has been greatly enhanced by remastering, features two overlapping groups. The first seven selections have Goldberg joined by trumpeter Chris Botti, keyboardist Tony Cedras, bassist Bakithi Kumalo, drummer Anton Fig, and percussionist Cyro Baptista with two guest appearances by guitarist Dan Carillo and one from Kofo on the talking drum. The final two performances have Goldberg, Fig and Baptista performing with trumpeter Diego Urcola, tenor-saxophonist Cecilia Tenconi, guitarist John Guth, keyboardist Richard Cummings, and bassist Chulo Gatewood.

Ojoyo Plays Safrojazz introduces nine Goldberg originals. Whether it is the attractive groove of “Station Road Strut,” the excellent Botti trumpet solos on “Forward Motion” and “Little Song,” the very appealing harmony between the leader’s alto and Botti’s trumpet on “Harare,” the cinematic “Madagascar,” Cedras’ inventive piano solo on “Little Song,” or the hard-swinging “Rockwela,” the music of Ojoyo is a consistent delight.

Morris Goldberg was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, learning from an early age how to blend together bebop with music that reflected his African heritage. He made his recording debut in 1959 on a quartet date led by pianist John Mehegan, one of the very first jazz sessions recorded in South Africa. A few years later, Goldberg moved to the United States without ever forgetting his roots, attending the Manhattan School of Music. He started working with Hugh Masekela in 1965, an association that lasted for decades. Goldberg also regularly performed and recorded with Miriam Makeba and Harry Belafonte (1980–88), was part of Paul Simon’s famous Graceland album (playing the iconic penny whistle solo on “You Can Call Me Al”), was featured on The Rosie O’Donnell Show on television (1996–2002), and recorded with Abdullah Ibrahim, guitarist Rodney Jones, and on an album by guitarist-singer Hans Theessink in Germany that also included Maceo Parker and Pee Wee Ellis.

In 1996 Goldberg formed Ojoyo as a vehicle for his compositions and solos and the group continues in the present time. The timeless music of their classic recording, Ojoyo Plays Safrojazz, which is distributed by Sunnyside Communications Inc, still sounds fresh, infectious and lively today.

credits

released May 28, 2021

Morris Goldberg - saxophone & penny whistle
Anton Fig - drums
Bakithi Kumalo - bass (1-7)
Chris Botti - trumpet (1-7)
Cyro Baptista - percussion
Tony Cedras - keyboards (1-7)
Dan Carillo - guitar (1 & 2)
Kofo - talking drum (3)
Diego Urcola - trumpet (8-9)
Cecilia Tenconi - tenor saxophone (8-9)
John Guth - (8-9)
Richard Cummings - keyboards (8-9)
Chulo Gatewood - bass (8-9)

license

about

Sunnyside Records New York, New York

contact / help

Contact Sunnyside Records

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Ojoyo Plays Safrojazz, you may also like:

Ten Freedom Summers
by Wadada Leo Smith

supported by 6 fans who also own “Ojoyo Plays Safrojazz”

I don't have the vocabulary to describe my appreciation of this album. Jason Quentin Teeter
go to album
Songs of Ascent: Book 1 - Degrees
by Dave Douglas

supported by 5 fans who also own “Ojoyo Plays Safrojazz”
go to album
Continuing
by Tyshawn Sorey

supported by 5 fans who also own “Ojoyo Plays Safrojazz”

Tasteful AF. mmmmm maxfrantz
go to album
Bulawayo // Harare
by Bulawayo Kwela and Albert Nyathi, Elliott Phiri, David Tapfuma & Esa

featured on Bandcamp Radio May 29, 2018
go to album
Threnody for the KhoiSan
by garth erasmus

Decades of political activism are funneled into a fusion of traditional Southern African music, free jazz, and avant-garde composition. Bandcamp Album of the Day Apr 24, 2024
go to album
Nkaoza EP
by El Payo

featured on Bandcamp Radio Apr 16, 2024
go to album
Slowly: Song for Keith Jarrett
by Noah Haidu

supported by 4 fans who also own “Ojoyo Plays Safrojazz”
go to album