Exiled for much of his career, he was acknowledged universally as a pioneer and a leading light of the international free jazz scene.
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He understood that the struggle for freedom extended beyond the political realm into the cultural, where jazz music thrived.
The composer, bassist and innovator Gerald ‘Mac’ McKenzie died on 29 April. He changed Cape Town’s unique music traditions forever.
Not just a great jazz singer, Sylvia Mdunyelwa was also an activist, educator, broadcaster and actress.
His talent took him across the world - he was Ray Charles’ regular drummer - and the music he was exposed to sparked innovation when he returned home.
