Mama Africa

One of Europe's best big bands, the Brussels Jazz Orchestra, pays tribute to Miriam Makeba, 'Mama Africa', possibly the greatest South African singer ever. Tutu Puoane, who hails from South Africa, was invited to sing and choose the songs. Seven arrangers were commissioned to arrange these songs from 'Mama Africa's' repertoire for one of Europe's best big bands, the Brussels Jazz Orchestra. The BJO worked with Tutu Puoane before in several projects, e.g. a tribute to Billy Holiday. Tutu Puoane in her own right is a rising star. Her two solo albums Song and Quiet Now were well received and both albums were licensed into Japan and South Africa. Especially on her second album she shows more of her South African roots and it was no big surprise that she was invited by the BJO to put together a program with music from South Africa. It was in this period that Miriam Makeba passed away, so eventually it was decided that most of the songs were to be from this great singer's repertoire. Amongst the songs chosen are various contemporary compositions by some of the best writers the land has to offer, but also quite a few folk songs in native languages. Nevertheless 'Mama Africa' is a real jazz album that pays a worthy tribute to 'Mama Africa'.