Mongezi Feza

Mongezi Feza (11 May 1945 – 14 December 1975) was a South African jazz trumpeter and flautist.

Mongezi Feza
Born11 May 1945
Queenstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Died14 December 1975(1975-12-14) (aged 30)
London, U.K.
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician, composer
InstrumentsTrumpet and flute
Years active1964–1975
Associated actsThe Blue Notes, Robert Wyatt, Henry Cow, Johnny Dyani, Chris McGregor, Dudu Pukwana

Biography

Feza was born in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa, on 11 May 1945, into a family of musicians, His elder brother, Sandi Feza, who taught him how to play the trumpet in the dusty streets of Mlungisi township in Queenstown.[1]

A member of The Blue Notes, Feza left South Africa in 1964 and settled in Europe, living in London and Copenhagen. As a trumpeter, his influences included hard bopper Clifford Brown and free jazz pioneer Don Cherry.[1] After The Blue Notes splintered in the late 1960s, he played with British rock musician Robert Wyatt,[2] progressive rock band Henry Cow, and most extensively with fellow ex-Blue Notes musicians Johnny Dyani, Chris McGregor and Dudu Pukwana.[3] Feza's compositions "Sonia" and "You Ain't Gonna Know Me ('Cos You Think You Know Me)" remained in the repertoire of his colleagues long after his death. In the early 1970s, Feza was also member of the afro-rock band Assagai.

Feza died in London, in December 1975, from untreated pneumonia.[3]

Discography

Album appearances

with Harry Miller's Isipingo

with Dudu Pukwana

Underground recordings
  • 1965 The Blue Notes featuring vocalist Patrice Gcwabe
  • 1967 The Blue Notes featuring vocalist Tunji Oyelana
  • 1968 Unissued LP (Bootleg) of Brotherhood of Breath.

Bibliography

Philippe Carles, André Clergeat, and Jean-Louis Comolli, Dictionnaire du jazz, Paris, 1994

References
  1. "Mongezi Feza - Oxford Reference". www.oxfordreference.com.
  2. Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 267. CN 5585.
  3. Thedeadrockstarsclub.com - accessed June 2010
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