Father of the late jazz artist gifted with musical equipment
The Lawrence brothers assembled the collection of instruments over a lengthy period by purchasing them from other countries.
Norkem Park resident Jakes Lawrence gifted musical equipment to Jerry Molelekwa, the father of the late Thembisa Jazz star Moses Molelekwa on September 29.
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The presentation took place at the Moses Molelekwa Arts Foundation offices in Thembisa.
The Lawrence brothers assembled the collection of instruments over a lengthy period by purchasing them from other countries.
Two gold-plated Getzen trumpets, an antique Boyes & Hawkes trumpet from 1934, a Hamaha cornet trumpet, three soprano recorders, two alto recorders and three sopranino recorders were among the expensive instruments.
Jakes Lawrence has musical background in his family.
“My brother was a music teacher in drums, piano, saxophone. I started my music career at the FUBA in Johannesburg with the legends like Barney Rachabane with Sipho Sephamla as the principal of the institution.
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They always visited the open markets on Saturdays as well as Dorkey House to listen to older guys playing jazz and the interest and passion grew from those experiences.”
He further enrolled with the Royal School of Music and they would play at Bruma Lake and later formed a band to play in informal settlement parties and gigs.
“These instruments have been part of our lives and are our most priced possession.
“We have been attached to them and we felt it fitting that we should hand them over to the Molelekwa School of Music Foundation to be used to teach the youth of Thembisa and further develop an interest in the art of music and jazz,” said Jakes.
“The school will be able to reach more children. We also received the South African Jazz maestro Hugh Masekela’s trumpet and hopefully, this will create an opportunity to develop other world-renowned trumpeters from the music school.
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“The Arts Foundation will now be able to continue with its vision of developing the youth and music industry in Thembisa and the country,” said Molelekwa.
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