|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
NEW YORK based saxophonist, flautist, penny whistler and bandleader Morris Goldberg grew up in Observatory, Cape Town, and nurtured musical roots which span classical music, jazz, bebop, and mbaqanga. Whilst always well known to jazzlovers, Goldberg won popular acclaim through his featured performances on Paul Simon's Graceland album.
Goldberg started out on clarinet, and cites guitarist Harold Jaftha, and saxophonists Kippie Moeketsi and Christopher "Columbus" Ngcukana as early influences when growing up in South Africa. In the late 1950's, the variety show African Jazz visited Cape Town, and he made his first contact with Hugh Masekela.
In 1960, Goldberg left for England to broaden his musical horizons, spending a year there before heading to the United States. In the US, he attended the Manhatten School of Music, and regularly recorded and performed with artists such as Miriam Makeba, and Harry Belafonte. He also worked with exiled South African singer, Letta Mbulu.
Instrumentation:
Saxophone, flute, penny whistle
Genre:
African Jazz, jazz, mbaqanga
|
|
|
Goldberg shifted his focus from performance to teaching in the 1970's, but in 1974 when visiting Cape Town, he was called on and participated in the classic Abdullah Ibrahim (then Dollar Brand) recording of "Manenberg", where he was featured as the third soloist.
On another visit, almost ten years later in 1983, he participated in the Jazz in Transit recording, together with Merton Barrow, Tony Schilder, Gary Kriel and Cecil Rica.
He did extensive live and studio work in the USA and internationally during the 1980's, regularly with Harry Belafonte. In 1985, he worked on Paul Simon's Graceland recording, playing the penny whistle solo on the track "You Can Call Me Al", and doing background soprano sax parts for "Crazy Love".
Goldberg performed with Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela again, and continued touring as part of Masekela's band. He returned to South Africa in 1991, performing as part of Hugh Masekela's spectacular homecoming tour, "Sekunjalo". The twenty-date roadshow featured Masekela together with Bayete, Sankomota and other guests.
He remains based in New York, where he is active with his band "Ojoyo", which includes several of his NYC-based compatriots. He retains strong links with Cape Town and its musicians.
this biography (c) Steve Gordon
Contact Details:
Visit the website of Morris Goldberg's NYC based group,
Ojoyo
|
|
|
|
|
