Cultural Creative Journalism

"When the six Blue Notes appeared on the stage of the Antibes Festival in July 1964, we, French spectators, had no idea of who they were, or where they came from, musically speaking. Some of us did know of apartheid and realised how a multicultural orchestra must have been difficult to form and maintain in South Africa. We could hardly imagine that there was a lively tradition of jazz in South Africa, and the twenty minutes the Blue Notes were allowed to play caused both amazement and enthusiasm. They were fire, modernity with roots and fragrance, feeling and emotion; they were moved by an incredible energy which made their disappearance backstage almost painful. These musicians, in less than a decade, were to exercise a major influence on the evolution of jazz in Europe; but that could not yet be foreseen; nor is the extent of that influence always realised today," writes Denis-Constant Martin in an Introduction to Maxine Macgregor's book " Chris Macgregor and the Brotherhood of Breath "

The spirit lives on in the work of the only surviving member, Louis Moholo : The Dedication Orchestra album 'Spirits Rejoice" :

The Blue Notes were a group; the combination of six original personalities. Chris Macgregor was their federator rather than their leader, a role that he continued playing with the various Brotherhoods of Breath. And one of the roots of his particular musical genius lies precisely in the capacity he demonstrated from the start to empathise with other musicians' inclinations, to draw the best from them, and to facilitate their co-operation with fellow instrumentalists in the band. He could be that sort of a musical cornerstone because of his character, shaped by his intimate experience of several facets of South Africa within a family in which cultural open-mindedness and care for others are rules for life; and also because of his unique musical talent.

The fair mindedness of Chris Macgregor shines throughout Maxines glorious account of a life lived in nurturing musicians and nurturing flowers / vegetables / cattle / children :

"Chris was not able to see the 'new South Africa' and at a time when a number of South African musicians feel the need to reassess what they have been doing for the last two decades, he is no longer there to share his experiences with them, to explain how he has been able to come to terms with the problems of musically fusing Africa, Europe and America by using South African resources. Some of his compositions are still to be performed; maybe the new cultural authorities of South Africa should give some consideration to creating an occasion when they could be played," writes Dennis Constant Martin.

Maxine Macgregor still keeps her msuical interests in high priority : she sings with a choral group in France. Choral music has such deep and significant roots in Africa as well and a 'not-too-over-ambitious' project would be to rescore some of Chris's unrecorded compositions for choral recital !

It is also important to create a post-humous collectors set of compact disks with thorough liner notes as can be adapted from the segments of Maxines book that are dedicated entirely to the struggle for the music that was the journey of Chris Macgregor :

For the time being, the recordings Chris Macgregor made with the Blue Notes, the Brotherhood of Breath and other groups remain as a testimony of his gift for inventing music, and the booky By Maxine Macgregor sheds new light on the way he totally lived his music, as a human being and as a musician.

Cape Town was one of the great port cities of the world, as people from all over immigrated to this abundant city of trade for a better life. And out of this haven for immigrants, filled with a unique ambition and talent grew the culturally exuberant and diverse Cape Town of the 50's - a 'Creole' culture, a vibrant community, a core of common experience, diversity, excitement - and music - a great jazz tradition.

" We Love You " : This is a proposal to IFAS to kindly facilitate myself (the journalist) to travel to France to visit Maxine Macgregor :