‘Why I’m angry with my country’
Says S/Africans are yet to overcome the stigma of apartheid
South African singer-songwriter-guitarist, Jonathan Butler was one of the jazz musicians that stormed Lagos, for the maiden edition of the Jazz festival, tagged Satchmo Jazzfest 2015, which held recently at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. WG caught up with him at the three-day event, where he talks about his music, his foundation as he also condemned the recent xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa, describing it as wicked.
By Chris Onuoha
How did you begin your journey into music?
I started singing at the age of 7, in downtown Athlon, Cape Town, South Africa. I started out as a guitarist and listening to good music. I took off from there and hit the music scene with my first album which I released in 1973, at age of 12. The album gave me the platform to be the first black artiste to play on white South African radio then. And that milestone earned me a Sarie Award, South Africa’s equivalent of Grammy Awards. Since then, it has been smooth sail for me.
To be on radio at the age of 12 was an exciting experience for me. It was like a dream come true, though with lot of challenges and unfolding events afterward. Everybody in the country loves you and nothing could make you happier than that. But winning a gold record award was more fulfilling for me.
The Sarie Award is one of my most prized possessions among the four things I treasured, with the three gold records. It’s part of history and they remind me of the time I was young. But I probably only learnt to celebrate it later in my life. It’s a big accomplishment and the interesting thing was that a white lady in South Africa eventually presented the award to me. Unfortunately, the newspapers and television stations in South Africa refused to publicized it. The lady was Miss World by then, married to the owner of Sun City. That’s the beginning of my anger against my country then. It was injustice even in the music industry in South Africa by then, seeing a black artiste subjected to recording 8-track album while white artistes were recording 24 tracks. So, there was lot of injustice, but I have learned to fly. That’s the story of South Africa for me while growing up there. Since then, music has been a part of me. It’s what I live for, what I do, and who I am. But I have also learnt to turn it off when I am at home. I play golf. I cook because I like cooking. But through music, I have lived, experienced, and also been richly blessed moving round the world. I thank God for it.
How do you feel playing alongside Nigerian jazz artistes in this year’s Satchmo Jazz festival?
You know, UNESCO jazz festival is probably the first ever event to be organized in Nigeria. It’s a new chapter in jazz and also one propagating what UNESCO world jazz day is all about. I did play in the 2nd edition of UNESCO jazz festival with Herbie Hancock in Osaka, Japan last year. I know jazz is being celebrated in Lagos. I love the fact that Lagos is recognizing jazz and for what the music stands, which is culture, the tradition. A lot of music comes from jazz, R/B, gospel, hip-hop blues, and of course, jazz also comes from Africa.
Jazz evolved and develops like any other music genre, and as it does, you hope to reach out to the younger people. It is a new demography. You have the new generation of jazz musicians such as D’Angelo, Lola Hathaway, Joe Fat among others who are playing contemporary jazz. Also Herbie Hancock who’s still one of the pioneers of them all because he plays all the jazz from pop to jazz rock. Miles Davies is still in pop rock jazz. This is the only way you can actually get the new emerging audience involved, not only to play the traditional jazz but also, the techno-centric upbeats.The root, the foundation is jazz and at the same time, when you get the young people playing the upright bass guitar, trumpet like D’ Angelo, you may be having the next Dixie Gillespie here in Lagos without knowing it. Thank God for the jazz community that is growing in Lagos. Playing alongside Nigerian artists like Yemi Sax is an awesome experience. I hope that happens more often. There are a lot of talents here. If there would be a combination of American and Nigerian artistes working together and also doing jazz, rhythm and blues, and hip-hop workshop, then we can discover new talents in Nigeria. As the Satchmo Jazz Festival is unveiling that platform now, hopefully, government or sponsors will come in to invest in the industry.
You recently delved into gospel music?
Before I knew Jesus Christ, music was like salvation to me. Music was everything to me and still more than I needed. When people treat me bad or disappoint me, I fall back to my guitar.
My journey into gospel music is a calling. It’s not a change or trying to do something different. It’s a calling. I have released two albums and right now, I am working on my third solo album. The records are on I-tunes, a gospel classical with Wanita Banum, live with Israel Haughton in South Africa. The Lord has been good to me as doors are opening for me.
My collaboration with Wanita Banum was an interesting experience. In the first place, I didn’t know her from Adams and when we started rehearsing, there was a mutual respect for each other because I come from jazz, R/B background, a completely different world from hers. As an open-minded and very spiritual person, and also having a relationship with Jesus Christ, it worked perfect. I do whatever He allows me to do as long as it edifices, justifies and glorifies Him.
How has the Jonathan Butler Foundation fared?
That’s a baby of mine. The foundation is still growing but we have done a lot in two years since its inception, working with different community to bring Art and culture and music education as empowerment machinery to the restive youths of South Africa. Our mission statement, “purpose kills addiction,” is geared towards reaching out to poor kids from difficult and challenging background who engages in drugs and crimes. We are trying to teach them how to fish instead of giving them fish. Empowerment is a legacy building and that’s what it’s all about for me. We are doing a lot but not in a big scale. We are also teaming up with other NGO’s in Cape Town, Victoria, and Johannesburg, to fast track things.
Did you feeling disappointed with the recent xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa?
I believe I have a voice to speak about it like everyone else. For me, the whole xenophobia thing is wicked. I say no to that completely. Black against black violence – it’s a shame. If we don’t stop the fight now, it will leave a bad stain. It’s important I talk about how it hurts because I love my country South Africa. Let’s not forget the fact that many African countries supported South Africa in time of Apartheid. Secondly, the leadership of South Africa should speak out and stop the crisis. The leadership cannot be divided or split. They should stand together, both white and black should declare a war against the crisis because it’s people’s life we talking about here. I consider myself a citizen of the world. When I am in Los Angeles I eat their food. In Ethiopia or Ghana, it’s the same thing. There is no xenophobia there. I feel it’s a bad spirit. The bible says, “Violence begets violence.” My advice is that they should forget about violence. Forgiveness is more powerful and I think the black man in South Africa is still in the process of healing itself from the stigma of apartheid. For me, it is completely wrong. Let’s live together as one people.
Tell us more about your family and lifestyle?
I have two daughters, one adopted son, and one grand daughter. Both girls are into music but the eldest decided to be a teacher. She is a teacher and my second daughter who is my assistant sings. She writes songs and sings along with me. She is all over the map.
For me as person, I am so involved in everything: I play golf, I cook, I am still a home kid anyway, I like good foods, I can eat chicken in Soweto, eat fish in Los Angeles. For me, I am more of a world artiste. I don’t see myself connected to only a particular thing or entity. In life, you learn to catch up with things fast and know what you are good at. That’s how it works. Minimize your weakness and maximize your strength. Find out what you are best at and stick with it.
Disclaimer
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.