Latest articles on Gwen Ansell

Why we need a South African jazz photography archive

Article Rafs Mayet - 30 Apr 2020

We need more books about South African jazz, focusing on both the verbal and the visual, to fully capture and appreciate the unique ‘river of culture we’ve been bequeathed’

A repository for jazz historians

Article Gwen Ansell - 13 Dec 2019

In the face of dwindling writing about South African jazz, bassist and composer Carlo Mombelli’s new offering is a repository for future historians.

Parsing Kabila through rumba

Article Gwen Ansell - 1 Nov 2019

‘Chimurenga Chronic: Who Killed Kabila II’ sees memories of the past battle the future

Radiant child: Jiyane captured in the dead of night

Article Kwanele Sosibo - 9 Mar 2018

A portrait of the enigmatic but gifted jazz cat and artist is conjured through the eyes of photographer (and admirer) Tseliso Monaheng

A requiem for African identity

Article Gwen Ansell - 9 Feb 2018

It is a feat to have a Mass that draws from a rich but distorted past to create a new musical canon

Beauty in struggle

Article Gwen Ansell - 12 Jan 2018

Jazz and the fight for freedom were central to his life and poetry

Close encounters with alien sex

Article Gwen Ansell - 6 May 2016

Alien relations served writer Alice Bo Sheldon well as a metaphor for the gender obtuseness and sexual obsessions of dominant human males on Earth.

Tigerman: Escape from the genredarmes

Article Gwen Ansell - 30 Sep 2015

Speculative fiction, science fiction, fantasy, thriller – who cares about genres when the writing is as good as in the novels reviewed here.

William Parker: Back to bass licks

Article Gwen Ansell - 17 Sep 2015

As the bassist prepares for his Joy of Jazz show, Gwen Ansell unpacks the musician's life and the label “avant-garde”, which he has been linked to.

Paradoxes of a primitive 2030

Article Gwen Ansell - 22 Jan 2015

William Gibson’s 11th novel is a gripping read that explores a world of multiple, branching timelines.

FANTASY in brief

Article Gwen Ansell - 11 Oct 2013

Abraham's tale of war and banking in a not-quite-Renaissance empire gathers strength in this, the penultimate volume.

Valuable addition to local archives

Article Gwen Ansell - 16 Nov 2012

Adam Haupt summarizes all the questions his book raises

Jazzing up a historical record

Article Gwen Ansell - 16 Nov 2012

The new edition of Chris Ballantine's Marabi Nights is more than a description of the creation of a South African jazz; it is sociology set to music

A marriage of sound and image

Article Gwen Ansell - 5 Oct 2012

Pianist Jill Richards and artist Marcus Neustetter immerse themselves in this exciting show that unites paper and ivory.

Derek Gripper: Sharing music between people

Article Gwen Ansell - 10 Jul 2012

Derek Gripper might be skeptical about some commercial "world music", but that hasn't weakened his passionate interest in the music of the world.

vital information

The Mail & Guardian’s essential coverage of the ongoing coronavirus crisis is free to read for everyone.

If you would like to support us, please consider taking out a subscription.

Latest

Coronavirus

Emergency hospital: Gauteng’s potential R500-million albatross

Sabelo Skiti & Pontsho Pilane - 25 Sep 2020

Construction of an emergency Covid-19 hospital is running months behind deadline, promising to come online only after Gauteng’s peak

National

Durban business raided as Transnet contracts face scrutiny

Paddy Harper - 25 Sep 2020

Contractors allegedly paid Transnet officials for lucrative procurement deals

National

Convict Andile Lungisa resists calls to quit city council

Sabelo Skiti - 25 Sep 2020

Former youth league leader Andile Lungisa cites ANC constitution, and argues assault is not corruption in a bid to keep his party membership

Press Releases

Special Reports

SA’s SEZs create decent jobs

special reports - 25 Sep 2020

The Specia Economic Zone programme is used as a critical tool for accelerating the country’s industrial development agenda

Special Reports

The new normal in tourism is business unusual

special reports - 25 Sep 2020

Innovation and changing trends have kept some tour operators in the green, though most have struggled during the tight lockdown

Special Reports

TENDER NO. BOBS 05/2020 PROVISION OF CERTIFICATION SERVICES TO BOTSWANA BUREAU OF STANDARDS QUALITY MANAGEMENT SERVICES

special reports - 25 Sep 2020

The Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS) invites tenders from reputable companies for the provision of certification services

Special Reports

The Galaxy Z Fold2 smartphone breaks all the rules

special reports - 25 Sep 2020

The Galaxy Z Fold2 has meaningful innovations that offer users enhanced refinements and some unique foldable user experiences

Special Reports

Adventures, ghost tours and big skies await visitors to the Cape Winelands

special reports - 23 Sep 2020

All of the CWDM destinations are accessible within a 30- to 120-minute drive from Cape Town, creating real value for money

Special Reports

SingularityU Online Summit to contribute to SME growth in 2020

special reports - 23 Sep 2020

The global speakers lined up for this year's event will address the challenges and opportunities specifically facing small businesses

Special Reports

Policy priorities lie with urgent economic reforms

special reports - 23 Sep 2020

Professor Raymond Parsons believes that business and consumer sentiment in South Africa would both benefit from even lower borrowing costs

Special Reports

Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria to reopen on Heritage Day

special reports - 22 Sep 2020

The new, drive-through sculpture exhibition brings to four the number of exhibitions of iconic African and South African art