1. Mthutuzeli Dudu Pukwana was a South African saxophonist and composer.
11 Facts About Dudu Pukwana
1. 2.
Dudu Pukwana was born in Walmer Township, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
3.
Dudu Pukwana grew up studying piano in his family, but in 1956 he switched to alto saxophone after meeting tenor saxophone player Nikele Moyake.
4.
In 1962, Pukwana won first prize at the Johannesburg Jazz Festival with Moyake's Jazz Giants.
5.
Dudu Pukwana went on to form two groups with Feza and Moholo.
6.
Dudu Pukwana played on Matata's Independence album that was released in 1974.
7.
Dudu Pukwana guested on albums with his former Blue Notes colleague, Johnny Dyani, particularly Witchdoctor's Son, which features some of his best recorded work, and played extensively with the drummer John Stevens.
8.
In 1978, Dudu Pukwana founded Jika Records and formed his own band, Zila, featuring South Africans Lucky Ranku on guitar and powerful vocalist Miss Pinise Saul.
9.
Zila recorded Zila Sounds, Live in Bracknell and Willisau, partly recorded at the Bracknell Jazz Festival, and Zila, the last with keyboardist Django Bates and Dudu Pukwana increasingly using soprano sax.
10.
On 16 April 1990, Dudu Pukwana took part in the Nelson Mandela Tribute held at Wembley Stadium.
11.
Dudu Pukwana died in London of liver failure in June 1990, not long after the death of his longtime friend and colleague McGregor.