This is an important album that slots into the continuing evolution of South African jazz. Dating back to the 1980s, the band emerged from a group of exceptionally talented students on the first university jazz studies course in South Africa that Darius Brubeck had been invited to create.

Conceptualised by his wife Catherine, The Jazzanians were invited to perform at the National Association of Jazz Educators Conference in the States.

As the first muti-racial student jazz ensemble from South Africa to tour outside the country, it was a huge hit, appearing on NBC and CBS network television, that had the effect of putting jazz education on the map back home, and within a few years every music department in South African universities offered jazz. Several of the students in the Jazzanians were of a professional standard, and the music had its roots firmly planted in Township jazz. It is engaging, compelling and from the first track ‘Bayete’ the music sweeps the listener along with an energy of a music with a close association to dance.

It’s music of great humanity and integrity – from the adversity of apartheid which had tried to crush Township jazz it is also music of resistance, defiant and proud – don’t forget, Nelson Mandela did not get elected until 1994.