THE music industry is mourning the loss of yet another giant.
This weekend, news broke that Jonas Gwangwa died on Saturday, 23 January.
The jazz star died on the anniversary of the deaths of other greats, Bra Hugh Masakela and Oliver Mtukudzi.
Gwangwa was born in Orlando East in Soweto and first rose to fame playing trombone with The Jazz Epistles.
After the group broke up, he stayed popular with South Africans and later made a name for himself overseas.
In the 1960s he began to be noticed in the US, and in 1965 he was featured in the Sound of Africa Concert in New York. He performed alongside Miriam Makeba, Bra Hugh and Letta Mbulu.
In a statement, the family said it was devastating to lose him just two weeks after his wife Violet.
“A loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend and mentor, our hearts beat with profound loss.
“Dr Gwangwa’s international and activist contribution to music, theatre and the arts in general will live on in the minds of millions across the world.”
Gauteng Arts MEC Mbali Hlophe said: “May his soul rest in eternal peace as he joins Oliver Mtukudzi and Hugh Masekela, who also passed away on 23 January in 2018 and 2019,” she said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said Gwangwa would join his musical ancestors and that his creative genius and dedication to the freedom of all South Africans helped mobilise the international community against apartheid.
The EFF’s Mbuyiseni Ndlozi tweeted: “What is it about the 23rd of January and the death of these music icons?”
RiSA CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi said Gwangwa’s death marked the end of an era.
“Through his trombone that reverberated across the world, he made us proud as a cultural ambassador during the dark days of apartheid,” he said.
The Thabo Mbeki Foundation said: “Former pesident Thabo Mbeki, the board and the staff convey their deepest condolences to the family of the renowned cultural worker, activist and esteemed member of the order of Ikhamanga in Gold, Comrade Jonas.”
The memorial and funeral service details will be released soon.
