The death of Sathima Bea Benjamin has cast a shadow on the upcoming Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival and over the rest of the jazz world.
The 76-year-old vocalist and composer died in Cape Town on Tuesday and was buried there on Wednesday.
The songstress was the wife of jazz legend Abdullah Ibrahim and the mother of musician Tsakwe Ibrahim and internationally renowned rapper Jean Grae.
Despite his great loss, Ibrahim will still be performing on the festival’s opening night.
Benjamin’s work was acknowledged earlier this month when she received a lifetime achievement award at the Standard Bank Jazz Honours.
“We gave Sathima Bea Benjamin a lifetime achievement award as a way of honouring her contribution to the heritage of music in this country. Her legacy will never be forgotten,” said the festival’s founder, Peter Tladi.
“She made an enormous impact on the development of music in South Africa and internationally. Our thoughts are with her family and friends during this difficult time.”
Abigail Kubeka, who was also honoured this year, expressed her grief at the passing of Benjamin. “I’m devastated. We were so happy together after not having seen each other for more than 25 years,” said Kubeka.
“She was just saying to me, ‘To think that somebody still remembers me is an honour’. She really appreciated the award.”
Kubeka said she remembered Benjamin performing the song Somebody to Watch Over Me at the award ceremony. “It was so touching. It was like a hello and a goodbye.”
Benjamin’s career started at the age of 21 when she joined Arthur Klugman’s show, which toured South Africa. She subsequently released 10 albums, and was based in New York for almost 40 years.
She and Ibrahim were part of the anti-apartheid movement and they protested against inequality and racial discrimination. – Cadet News Agency