Towards the realisation of South African jazz assuming its righful place in the cultural identity and heritage of the country

Abstract

This study seeks to investigate the role that jazz as a music genre has played and continues to play in influencing the socio-cultural and political landscape of South Africa. Very much music of conscience, jazz is bound to challenge any ideology which undermines the peaceful democratic existence of mankind. Through prolonged resilience and struggle for humanity against a harsh regime of apartheid, South Africa has become a symbol of the fight against injustice. South African jazz musicians have played a major role in expounding this to the world by creating a genre that needs preservation as cultural identity and heritage. Primary sources for the study were interviews conducted primarily during the National Youth Jazz Festival in Grahamstown in 2010. Secondary sources were literature reviews and qualitative data collected by using focus groups, observations and other interviews. About 35 participants were involved in the process. Chapter 1

The opening chapter is mainly an introduction to the study. It outlines the orientation of the study, background, aims and objectives, research questions, significance, research design, population and sampling,, data collection and techniques, interviews, population and location, ethical considerations, biographical data and glossary. Chapter 2

This chapter traces the development of jazz in South Africa from its early beginnings and formative years during early industrialization through research based on available literature and information gathered from interviews conducted with relevant

respondents. The chapter also gives a synopsis of the development of jazz in the world and the contribution that South African musicians have made to this genre. It also looks at the role the music has played in the socio- political landscape of the country in view of a hostile apartheid system. Chapter 3

Chapter 3 presents the data collected from the interviews conducted for the research.

Chapter 4

This chapter concludes the study by presenting a summary of the findings of the study and implications thereof. Based on the findings, recommendations are made towards realization of South African jazz assuming its rightful place in the cultural identity and heritage of the country.