Sunday Feature

John Dankworth in South Africa

Sunday 8 April 2007 21:30-22:15 (Radio 3)

It's just over 50 years since a young John Dankworth flew into Johannesburg to give a short series of concerts in South Africa. Unaware, until he arrived, of the growing menace of apartheid, he joined the protest movement.

In this programme, John returns to South Africa for the first time since then, to discover how music continued to be made during the years of struggle, and how it's doing in today's rainbow nation. He meets veterans Hugh Masekela and Jonas Gwangwa, visits a music school in Daveyton township, plus encounters younger musicians such as trumpeter Feya Faku, saxophonist McCoy Mrubata, and guitarist Louis Mhlanga.

From choir competitions to solo pianists, the programme paints a vivid picture of contemporary South African musical life and asks potent questions about the future.

Duration:

45 minutes

Sunday Feature

Episode and Playlist Information

• 20 May 07 The Splintered City
• 13 May 07 Charles Correa
• 6 May 07 Something in the Air
• 29 Apr 07 Ivan Blatny
• 22 Apr 07 Toru Takemitsu
• 15 Apr 07 Akram Khan
• 8 Apr 07 John Dankworth
• 1 Apr 07 Riches From Freetown
• 18 Mar 07 Mind as Machine
• 11 Mar 07 Educating Mill

Sunday Feature pages