Legendary South African jazz star Jonas Gwangwa has died.
The sad news was confirmed in a tweet by South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa.
He wrote: “A giant of our revolutionary cultural movement and our democratic creative industries has been called to rest; the trombone that boomed with boldness and bravery, and equally warmed our hearts with mellow melody has lost its life force. #RIPJonasGwangwa.
“Jonas Gwanga ascends to our great orchestra of musical ancestors whose creative genius and dedication to the freedom of all South Africans inspired millions in our country and mobilised the international community against the apartheid system.”
Gwangwa was one of the musical minds behind the Cry Freedom soundtrack, and had a career that spanned more than 40 years.
He was known for using his music to convey the struggles in South Africa during apartheid.
Born in Soweto, Johannesburg in 1937, Gwangwa rose to fame playing trombone for a bebop band called The Jazz Epistles.
(Image: Getty)
We’ll be bringing you the latest updates on this breaking celebrity news story.
For the latest news and breaking news visit Mirror.co.uk/3am.
Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @DailyMirror – the official Daily Mirror & Mirror Online Twitter account – real news in real time.
We’re also on Facebook /dailymirror – your news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and Mirror Online.
Leave a Reply