What A Difference a Family Makes...

[Lois Gilbert]

Jazz Flows in Teen Sax Prodigy's Veins

Sunday Times (Johannesburg)
NEWS
October 24, 2004
Posted to the web October 25, 2004

By Karen Van Rooyen
Johannesburg

Legend's grandson is living out the family tradition

AT AN age when boys are fantasising about pretty girls, fast cars and football, 15-year-old Oscar Rachabane is blowing his way into jazz lovers' hearts.

Oscar was born into the world of jazz. The grandson of legendary saxophonist Barney Rachabane, he is already playing at top Joburg jazz café Kippie's Jazz International at the Market Theatre Precinct in Newtown.

"My best music memory is the first time I played with my grandfather," says Oscar. "That was last year at a club in Cresta. He was surprised."

Rachabane is proud of his grandson and honoured that yet another family member has fallen in love with music.

"I had a son who followed in my footsteps. He studied at Natal University. He got sick and died. My daughter, who also studied music, is a jazz singer," he says, referring to Oscar's mother, Lovern Duiker .

"Now, I feel great about [Oscar] following in my footsteps. He's very talented. I just gave him a clarinet and it escalated from there. He got into other instruments easily."

Oscar started out playing the clarinet about three years ago, but moved on to the saxophone after a year.

"I didn't feel the clarinet, it was boring and difficult," says the shy teenager, who sometimes has to put up with teasing from his friends. When most of them are outside kicking soccer balls around, he's indoors practising a genre of music many of them see as old-fashioned.

He has had no formal training, relying on his ear, but would like to start studying music.

He plays at Kippie's about once a month, and doesn't mind that he's not old enough to buy alcohol.

"I don't take a break [between sets]," he says. "I just like playing with my grandfather and some of the other big cats around here. I have played with Sipho ['Hotstix' Mabuse], but it's not often."

Oscar also plays "a little bit" of drums and piano, but his favourite instrument remains the saxophone.

His favourite tune is Duke Ellington's Satin Doll, because "it's jazz and it's got some nice progressions".

Veteran musician Mabuse says Oscar is the youngest person ever to play at Kippie's and describes him as "extremely talented".

"I'm actually worried for him because I think he's advancing quickly. He's playing more like his grandfather than he should be," he says.

"I always chide him and say: 'Go and play kwaito and dance with some of your peers.'"

Mabuse says Oscar's playing style is influenced by the "mainstream jazz" he listens to, and the two sometimes play together.

"Soweto's celebrating 100 years and there's a function and I might invite him ... if he's available, of course," says Mabuse.

Trinity Kubjana, a trombonist who recently invited Oscar to play with him, describes the teenager as "unique".

"He's got great tone, especially at his age. He's going places," says Kubjana.

The young saxophonist also believes this is only the beginning.

"I love jazz, I grew up listening to it ... I see myself playing with some big cats," he says.



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