The Jazz Epistles: ``Verse 1``

The Jazz Episles were a very short lived Jazz group from South Africa. They were inspired by Art Blakey`s Jazz Messengers and like the early Messengers, they were a co-operative band. The band was the brainchild of pianist Dollar Brand, who after his conversion to Islam became Abdullah Ibrahim. The others in the band were Kippi Moeketsi on alto saxophone (sometimes called the Charlie Parker of South Africa), trombonist Jonas Gwangwa, trumpeter Hugh Masakela. bassist Johnny Gertze, and drummer Makaya Ntshoko. The album was recorded in Capetown in 1960. Sadly due to a variety of circumstances this was their only recording but it shows the strength of the spirit of Jazz that a recording of this quality could be made under the repressive circumstances of apartheid South Africa. The tunes include a trio track and a piano solo track by Dollar Brand. An ensemble tune by Brand and one tune by Hugh Masakela and one by Jonas Gwangwa and three by Kippi Moeketsi. Verse 1 stands as a monument to the qualities of freedom and joy of Jazz music.