McCoy Mrubata

BIO

McCoy Mrubata is an artist from South Africa.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHY
Saxophonist, flute player, band leader and composer
Born in 1959 in Cape Town’s historic Langa township, South Africa. Reedman McCoy Mrubata grew up with the sounds of African music: the soulful hymns of the Zion Church, the chants and rhythms of traditional healers and the brassy jive of the Merry Macs band who rehearsed opposite his home. When schooling became impossible in the fiery aftermath of the 1976 uprising, the young McCoy then playing flute studied informally under Langa and Gugulethu township greats like Madoda Gxabeka, Winston Ngozi , the Ngcukanas, Ezra and Duke, Blackie Tempi and Robert Sithole.
By the early 1980s he was playing in cover bands like Fever, Touch , Airborne and Vukani, from there he moved to crossover outfit Louis and the Jive. In 1987 McCoy was spotted by bandleader Sipho Hotstix Mabuse who helped him make Joburg his home. In 1988 he joined PJ Powers band and also that year McCoy was sported by veteran producer Koloi Lebona who offered him a recording deal with a British based record company Zomba Records the same record company had produced music for, amongst others: Jonathan Butler and Billy Ocean. McCoy’s debut album, Firebird was released the following year.
In 1989 he formed Brotherhood, which also included guitarist Jimmy Dludlu pianist Nhlanhla Magagula, Mwezi Zazi, Gladwin Mashoko and Lucas Khumalo and later Moses Molelekwa and Phakamisa Xangathi. In 1990 the band won the Gilbey's Music for Africa competition , beating top bands like Bayethe , Peto , Stax and Zanusi.
In 1992 he began touring with Hugh Masekela’s Lerapo, alongside Vusi and Bakithi Khumalo , Lawrence Matshiza and the late Moses Molelekwa among others. He also created his own bands, Cape to Cairo and McCoy and Friends. In the mid 1990s, he made the first of a series of albums as leader for the independent Sheer Sound label: Tears of Joy. The personnel of Friends, including pianist Paul Hanmer, bassist Andre Abrahamse , trumpet player Prince Lengoasa and trombonist Jabu Magubane among others.
In addition, McCoy has collaborated with a dazzling array of South African jazz players, and with overseas artists such as Airto Moreira and Flora Purim. He has been involved in drama, creating scores for South African productions about journalist Bloke Modisane and saxophone legend Kippie Moeketsi . McCoy also worked In three Norwegian productions (with Nordic Black Theatre) : two In 1994/5 In SA and In Oslo on two Bob Marley Musicals and in 2001 starring in play based on the life of John Coltrane “Beyond The Blues” , playing a leading role. He has also created what he calls the Young Friends: a collaboration with the next generation of South African jazzmen.
In 2012 McCoy was among the top Jazz educators who helped to launch the Jazz Faculty at University Of South Africa and has subsequently conducted workshops and master classes commissioned by the Institution.
In 2014 McCoy went on a successful USA tour with a collaborative band called Uhadi of which he directed. The band comprised of some of SA top Jazz musicians : Feya Faku , Paul Hanmer , Herbie Tsoaeli and Justin Badenhorst. and guest Sibongile Khumalo.
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In 2015 McCoy had a good run In Switzerland from the 26 August to 28 September at the Bird’s Eye Jazz Club, Basel University and St Gallen playing with three different bands. The Bird’s Eye run was recorded and a double CD, “ McCoy Mrubata Live At The Bird’s Eye”
McCoy and Uhadi went on a second US tour In 2016. The tour commenced on 30 March to 18 April.
In 2018 McCoy and Paul Hanmer, he’s long time friend celebrated 30 years of friendship and collaborative work in music and had performances around SA and they also toured USA and conducting workshops at some of the higher institutions like Berklee and UCLA.
In September 2019 McCoy was one of the South African Jazz artists that went to perform at the Jazz At Lincoln Center With Wynton Marsalis, New York and the show was called The South African Song Book.
McCoy Mrubata Discography Solo Albums
Fire Bird 1989 Tears Of Joy 1997 Phosa Ngasemva 1999 Hoelykit ? 2000 Face The Music 2002 The Best Of The Early Year 2004 Icamagu Livumile 2004 Brasskap Sessions Volume 1 2007 The Very Best Of 2010 Brasskap Sessions Volume 2 2014 Live At The Bird’s Eye 2016 Live At The Market Theatre 2016 Brasskap Sessions Volume 3 2019
Collaborations
Sheer All Stars
Indibano 2000 Live At The Blues Room 2001 Dance With Me 2002 McCoy and Wessel van Rensburg Kulturation 2004
McCoy & Greg Georgiades 2004

Vivid Africa
McCoy & Paul Hanmer 2011 Boswil Concert
McCoy & Moses Ngwenya 2012 Mbaqanga Jazz
Awards
1991 : Gilby’s Music For Africa winner
5 time winner of the South African Music Award winner for the “Best Jazz Album” category
2010 : Angola COCAN Africa Cup Of Nations Competition Ambassador 2018 : Winner of the Kennedy Center Gold Medal Award