Ezra Ngcukana

Ezra Nyaniso Ngcukana was a celebrated South African jazz saxophonist, composer, and educator. Born on August 25, 1954, in Port Elizabeth, Ngcukana grew up in Langa, Cape Town, thriving in a vibrant musical environment nurtured by his renowned musical family.

Musical Heritage

Ezra's father, Christopher Columbus "Mra" Ngcukana, was a distinguished baritone and tenor saxophonist. Ezra was raised alongside his musically talented siblings, including trumpeter Duke Ngcukana, vocalist Fitzroy, saxophonist Claude Gawe, and keyboardist Cyril, with whom he closely collaborated.

Musical Career

• Began playing the trumpet at age 10.
• Progressed to the c-melody saxophone, alto, and ultimately settled on tenor and soprano saxophones.
• Gave his first professional jazz performance at the age of 15.
• Enrolled at the University of Fort Hare in 1972 and joined the Village Art Quintet, established by his brother Duke.
• Formed the Uptown Sextet with musicians such as Timmy Kwebulana, Buggs Gongco, Danayi Dlova, and Victor Ntoni.
• Involved in Lefifi Tladi's group "Dashiki," blending political poetry and music.
• Toured internationally with various bands, including Fever, Four Sounds, Gery Spencer's Jazz Cyclone, and Sylvia Mdunyelwa's Band.
• Performed at prestigious festivals such as the North Sea Jazz Festival and Berlin Festival.
• Released debut album "You Think You Know Me" in 1989 and recorded "Brothers" alongside musicians like Duke Makasi and Tete Mbambisa.

Notable Achievements

• Co-founded the Little Giants Band with pianist George Werner in 2000, centering on youth music education.
• Played at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival and the Grahamstown Festival in 2010 with Robbie Jansen and George Werner.

Musical Style and Influences

Ngcukana drew profound inspiration from jazz icons McCoy Tyner and John Coltrane. His music blended bebop and South African jazz styles, embracing Eastern Cape influences and local choral voicings. He was known for his incredible versatility and technical prowess.

Education and Other Pursuits

Ezra's academic accomplishments were significant, as he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Physics and a Bachelor of Commerce in Quantitative Management from UNISA. He also worked for BP in Cape Town during the 1980s and early 1990s, balancing his professional life with his enduring passion for music.

Discography

• "You Think You Know Me" (1989)
• "Brothers"
• "Ungalibali" (2006) with Little Giants, featuring Robbie Jansen

Ezra Ngcukana passed away on August 9, 2010, in Gugulethu, just before his 56th birthday, leaving behind a significant legacy as a musician, mentor, and guiding figure in South Africa's jazz scene.

Sources

• https://southafrica.co.za/the-ngcukana-brothers.html
• https://www.last.fm/music/Ezra+Ngcukana/+tracks
• https://d7.westerncape.gov.za/assets/departments/cultural-affairs-sport/wc_jazz_legends_book_web_18_june.pdf
• http://www.music.org.za/artist.asp?id=256
• https://recordtowntx.com/products/ezra-ngcukana-you-think-you-know-me
• https://sisgwenjazz.wordpress.com/2022/06/
• https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezra_Ngcukana
• https://www.discogs.com/artist/2224701-Ezra-Ngcukana
• http://capetownnatural.blogspot.com/2010/08/hamba-kahle-music-giant-ezra-ngcukana.html