Revered ethnomusicologist Andrew Tracey dies at 87

The son of ethnomusicologist Hugh Tracey and father of Geoffrey Tracey, Andrew Tracey succumbed to a lung infection following an abdominal operation just after Christmas. Born in Durban on 5 May 1936, Tracey’s teaching, performance, mentorship and research profoundly influenced the way traditional African music is regarded in the region and around the world.

Music industry players as well as creative and educational institutions took to social media to convey their condolences following news of his passing.

“Today, we honour the life and legacy of Andrew Tracey, a passionate scholar of African music,” Rhodes University wrote. “His dedication to preserving and promoting African musical traditions has left an indelible mark on the world of ethnomusicology.”

SWP Records founder Michael Baird wrote: “He was a music giant, he was a family man, he took on his father Hugh Tracey’s legacy, he was made an honorary Professor of Ethnomusicology, he was a friend.”

National Arts Festival Makhanda wrote: “The National Arts Festival sends its condolences to the family of Professor Andrew Tracey, who sadly passed away yesterday. The Tracey family, going back to Andrew’s father, Hugh, played an enormous role in the archiving and promotion of African music. Largely unfunded, Hugh was an avid researcher and founded the International Library of African Music.”

In his childhood, Tracey was extensively exposed to the music of Southern and Central Africa through his father, Hugh, who pioneered recording, archiving and broadcasting indigenous music. As Hugh Tracey became more devoted to his work, his marriage fell apart and his wife Ursula moved to England with their sons Paul and Andrew. At Oxford University, Andrew studied anthropology, philology and, informally, folk music. 

When his father died in 1977, Andrew became the director of the International Library of African Music (ILAM), which he took to Rhodes University, and was the editor of African Music, roles he fulfilled until 2005. His field research focused on the playing technique of members of the mbira and xylophone families.

In 1961, Andrew co-wrote, with Jeremy Taylor and his brother Paul Tracey, the songs for the Wait a Minim! musical revue performed between 1962 and 1968 in South Africa, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, including 461 shows on Broadway.

Andrew helped to educate the world about unique African instruments and was on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson many times. 

In 1969, he started the Andrew Tracey Steelband, which performed around Grahamstown (now Makhanda) and South Africa and at festivals such as the National Arts Festival until 2007. During the 28 years Andrew headed ILAM, he lectured on African music at universities, schools and societies, and on TV and radio around the world. During his time as a musicologist, he organised ethnomusicology symposiums that led to the introduction of African music to many university music departments.

Related content: The Traceys: An intergenerational story of African music