| Basil Coetzee passed away during the night
of 11 March, after a long illness. The funeral took place on Saturday 14
March, commencing from the family home at 7 Hamden Lane, Rocklands Mitchell's
Plain, at 9am. Thereafter proceeding to the Tabernacle of Christ Church,
Weltevreden Rd, Mitchell's Plain, and to burial at the Garden of Eden in
Ottery.
Born in District Six, Cape Town. Coetzee
rose to prominence through his 1974 recording work with Abdullah Ibrahim
(then Dollar Brand). The omposition
Manenberg became an all-time SA jazz classic,
and is one of the most internationally renowned pieces of music emanating
from the southern tip of Africa.
After the departure of many of his musical
partners for exile, Coetzee remained in SA and weathered the lean years,
working in a shoe factory through the 1970's and into the early '80's.
Coetzee became active performing again in the early 1980's,
playing at numerous UDF concerts and rallies.
In 1986 he formed the band Sabenza, once again asserting a presence on
the South African jazz circuit. He was also a founder member of Cape Town
music school, MAPP.
In 1988 he toured Europe, and released
his album Sabenza. Later, the album Monwabisi.
Since the return from exile of Abdullah
Ibrahim, Coetzee regularly performed in Ibrahim's various ensembles. The
band is active on the local scene, and regularly features bassist Paul
Abrahams, guitarist James Kibby, and drummer Vic Higgins.
Coetzee lived in Rocklands, Mitchell's
Plain.
|
Mar
11, '98