The Jazzanians - We Have Waited Too Long (REMASTERED) (2024) [Hi-Res]

Ubuntu Music is honoured to release the restored and remastered recording of The Jazzanians, a multi-racial jazz ensemble from 1988 in Apartheid South Africa. We Have Waited Too Long was spearheaded by Darius and Catherine Brubeck. An international edition of their book, Playing the Changes - about their years in South Africa and currently available in that country - and a documentary film, Playing the Changes: Tracking Darius Brubeck, describe a significant passage in South African history (1983 - 2006), and the transformative effect of jazz. These will be released worldwide in 2024.

Darius explains the story behind the project: “The Jazzanians were a unique band of exceptionally talented South African students, some of whom were already professional musicians. I launched the first university degree in Jazz at the University of Natal in 1984 and in 1988, the Jazzanians were the first multi-racial student jazz ensemble from South Africa to tour outside the country. They were a huge hit and appeared on national NBC and CBS television in the USA. Following this success, it seemed natural that the band should record, and ‘We Have Waited Too Long’ was the result. Re-releasing it in 2024 honours those Jazzanians no longer with us (Johnny Mekoa, Zim Ngqawana and Lulu Gontsana) and raises the South African Jazz flag. The recording is a jubilant expression of the creative interaction apartheid tried to stifle. The band, their tours and the recording were special projects organized by my wife, Catherine. Compositions by band members represent the quintessential sound of South African Jazz which is totally infectious.”

Tracklist:
1.01 - The Jazzanians - Bayete (6:31)
1.02 - The Jazzanians - Zandile (4:48)
1.03 - The Jazzanians - Peace Meal (4:39)
1.04 - The Jazzanians - Badisa (6:34)
1.05 - The Jazzanians - We Have Waited Too Long (7:57)
1.06 - The Jazzanians - The Rainbow (4:07)
1.07 - The Jazzanians - Se Hamba Nabo (8:14)