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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZBAHULA, Julian(b '38, Mamelodi, South Africa) Drummer. Played drums as a child, then drum kit in dance bands, but returned to African drums, with Philip Tabane and Abe Cindi forming legendary Malombo, a South African jazz band which toured widely; albums incl. 1964 Jazz Festival Winners on Gallo. Tabane left '65; band carried on attracting international attention with LPs such as Sangoma and Pele Pele. Bahula went to UK '73 with multiracial band Joburg Hawk, which made one LP before splitting; then formed own band Jabula, with Lucky Ranku and Earnest Mothle: they had immediate success with LPs on Caroline African Soul and Soweto My Love. The band toured extensively in Europe before Bahula settled in London and started promotion company Tsafrica for African music, regular Friday evening gig at 100 Club in Oxford Street expanding into larger festivals, bigger venues. Album Jabula With Me released '82 on Plane; Bahula helped organise the Nelson Mandela's Birthday Festival '83, from which came excellent compilation album African Sounds For Mandela. He then re-formed his band, renaming it Jazz Africa, among the most active musical units in London. Also wrote theme music for Channel 4's series Africa presented by historian Basil Davidson. |