Julian Bahula

Julian Bahula OIG (13 March 1938 – 1 October 2023) was a South African drummer, composer and bandleader, based from 1973 in Britain, where he formed the music ensemble Jabula.[1][2]

Julian Bahula
Born(1938-03-13)13 March 1938
Eersterust, Pretoria, South Africa
Died1 October 2023(2023-10-01) (aged 85)
Occupation(s)Drummer, composer and bandleader
AwardsOrder of Ikhamanga

Biography

Sebothane Julian Bahula was born in Eersterust, Pretoria, South Africa. He first gained a reputation as a drummer in the band Malombo.[3] He migrated to England in 1973 and subsequently formed the group Jabula,[4] which in 1977 combined with the group of saxophonist Dudu Pukwana to form Jabula Spear.[2] Another later project for Bahula was the band Jazz Afrika. In the 1980s, Bahula played with Dick Heckstall-Smith's Electric Dream ensemble.

As Eugene Chadbourne of AllMusic has written: "Bahula has been as tireless a promoter of the music of his homeland in his adopted country as he is an on-stage rhythm activator. One of his most important moves was establishing a regular Friday night featuring authentic African bands at the London venue The 100 Club.[5] He booked a lot of musicians who were also political refugees; his series began to symbolize a movement for change. Players such as Fela Kuti, Miriam Makeba, and Hugh Masekela were among the performers whose early British appearances were organized by Bahula."[3]

With the Anti-Apartheid Movement, Bahula organised in 1983 African Sounds, a concert at Alexandra Palace to mark the 65th birthday of Nelson Mandela, drawing a 3,000-strong audience and raising the international profile of Mandela and other political prisoners.[5]

In 2012, President Jacob Zuma presented Bahula with the Order of Ikhamanga (Gold).[6]

Julian Bahula died on 1 October 2023, at the age of 85.[7][8]

References
  1. “Musicians born in March” Archived 17 August 2016 at the Wayback Machine, JazzLife.
  2. "13 March — Julian Bahula" Archived 6 August 2016 at the Wayback Machine, All Jazz Radio.
  3. Eugene Chadbourne, Julian Bahula biography, AllMusic.
  4. "Jabula" Archived 9 August 2020 at the Wayback Machine, Strut Records, 21 October 2014.
  5. Clyde Macfarlane, "Jabula Happiness: Julian Bahula Interviewed", The Quietus, 21 January 2015.
  6. Ntando Makhubu and Mogomotsi Magome, "Jazz legend no longer an unsung hero", Pretoria News, 4 May 2012.
  7. Luvhengo, Phathu (1 October 2023). "Political activist and musician Julian Sebothane Bahula has died". Timeslive.co.za. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  8. "† Julian Bahula ✝️ South African Drummer, Composer And Bandleader 💔 Passed Away At The Age Of 85 🕊️ #JulianBahula #South Africa". Memorial.news. 1 October 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.


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