SA mourns Paul Abrahams, Moses Molelekwa and Flo Mtoba

Vetran bassman, Paul Abrahams dies.

Paul Abrahams, bassman and founder of the Cape Town Jazz/Rock group Pacific Express, died last week following complications related to lung cancer.

Paul founded his group in the 70s with the ideal of performing original jazz-rock and fusion music and succeeded in gaining considerable popularity for his outfit despite their "un-commercial" leanings.

Paul's death comes shortly after the re-issue, in December 2000, of the second part of the bands recording anthology that documents the recordings of Pacific Express. The band was a model for many local groups and gave a number of artists the springboard to recognition. Some of these players include Jonathan Butler, Basil Coetzee, Zayn Adam, Tony Cedras, Robbie Jansen and others.

A spokesman for his record label, Mountain Records described Paul as a talented performer and creative composer and said that this humble yet effective bandleader would be sadly missed.

Paul Abrahams was also centrally involved in his Cape Jazz project in a duo with the late Basil Coetzee with whom he recorded and co-wrote on 3 albums.

Paddy Lee Thorp - Cape Town - 1-2-2001

SA mourns pianist Moses Molelekwa & promoter and band manager Flo Mtoba.

Tributes have been pouring in for Moses Taiwa Molelekwa (28) whose tragic death, as well as that of his wife, Florence Mtoba, shocked the SA music nation last Wednesday. Molelekwa was found hanging from the rafters of his Newtown Precinct office on Tuesday evening, alongside the sprawled body of his wife. No clear explanations have emerged for this supremely talented pianist's apparent suicide. Molelekwa's career had been on the rise over the past few years and his reputation was beginning to spread internationally.

Rashid Lombard and ESP Afrika took him to the North Sea Jazz Festival in The Hague (twice) and his acclaimed appearances contributed greatly to the decision to stage that Jazz Festival in Cape Town. Molelekwa was honoured with a slot on the Cape Town bill in 2000 and was due to appear again this year. He had released two albums, his debut 'Finding One's Self' (1994) and the very highly regarded 'Genes And Spirits' (1998) on the MELT 2000 label.
Moses Molelekwa grew up in Tembisa. His grandfather was a jazz pianist and his father earned the nickname 'Monk' for his love of the US jazz legend,Thelonius Monk. He emerged from the struggle generation of the 80's to find a place in the new SA as one of its favourite jazz sons. He will be impossible to replace and will live in the hearts of his many fans, both in SA and abroad through his vibrant, eclectic and passionate music.

Steve Segerman - SA Rock Digest Feb 2001

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