Born in Cape Town's notorious District Six,
Basil Coetzee worked his way up to recognition as a key player with
Dollar Brand (later to become
Abdullah Ibrahim), with
Mannenberg (named after the district to which
Coetzee's family was forcibly removed by the government), and becoming internationally known following its 1974 appearance. The South African music scene underwent a drastic collapse in the mid-'70s, unfortunately, with many top performers forced into exile or jailed.
Coetzee remained in South Africa, but was unable to sustain himself through his music, eventually taking a job in a shoe factory to support himself and his family. As the political climate changed, he became active once again, playing at United Democratic Front concerts and rallies, formed the band
Sabenza in 1986, and co-founded a Cape Town music school. Two albums followed, with the 1988
Sabenza followed by
Monwabisi, both allowing his rough, thick style to take center stage. When
Abdullah Ibrahim returned to South Africa,
Coetzee returned to work with him in both live ensembles and in the studio. His early 1998 death followed a long struggle with cancer.
After making his reputation as a sax player in
Abdullah Ibrahhim's (
Dollar Brand) band, he mixes Zulu, sax jive, and American jazz influences in a style he calls "cape jazz." AMG.
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