McCoy Mrubata, appearing at the Joy of Jazz festival, speaks to Thebe Mabanga.
What are your two favourite albums of all time and which tracks stand out for you?
Mr Magic by the late Grover Washington and Yakhalinkomo by Winston Mankunku Ngozi.
Describe your set for Joy of Jazz.
My right hand man is Paul Hanmer, I will have Prince Lengoasa on trumpet, Barry van Wyk on drums, Jabu Magubane on trombones and Andre Abrahams on bass. Basically, the material will cover the four albums. We will probably play one or two unreleased songs and Paul has rearranged Romeo and Alex with a larger horn section.
What are your thoughts on the South African music industry ahead of the country’s music week?
The industry is coming of age, but in some areas it’s coming slow. For instance, there is only a handful of stations that are pumping local music and even they can do better. TV is not doing enough .On the positive side though, the print media, the buying public and promoters are trying hard. A few years ago a certain DJ played two songs from a local artist and then praised himself for that. I was so disgusted I just thought he should shut up. I am optimistic though.
At what point in your career do you think you are now and where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
I am doing well. I am not rich, but my children have a roof over their heads and we get all the meals. When people say where do I want to go I say where the music takes me. Whether it is to Soshanguve or the North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland.
If you met the late Miles Davis, what would you have said to him?
That question has been haunting me. I would ask him if I am good enough to join his band because members like John Coltrane and Herbie Hancock went on to do well; he seems to be a good teacher.