African Jazz and Variety
African Jazz and Variety is a series of variety shows produced by Alfred Herbert's Star Making Company (or Company of Star Makers) in the 1950s.
Also referred to simply as African Jazz or Township Jazz
History
The company toured the then Union of South Africa (now Republic of South Africa) and the Rhodesias (now Zambia and Zimbabwe) from 1952 to 1959. The company was composed of artists representing a wide range of South African ethnicities, including Zulus, Swazis, Xhosas, Basutos, Pondos, Fingos, Indians, Malays and Cape Coloured artists. The likes of Dorothy Masuka, Dolly Rathebe, and Thandi Klaasen cut their teeth in this troupe. Other artists include Victor Ndlazilwana, Ben Satch Masinga, David Serame.
In July 1952, the Durban City Hall attracted 55,000 (whites) in the 3 ½ weeks the shows ran there.
The company performed in the 1959 musical, Shebeen. The farewell season directed by Bill Brewer, who also wrote the words and music for some songs.
Sources
David B. Coplan 1985. In Township Tonight! :South Africa's Black City Music and Theatre. London: Longman: pp.163-64.
Souvenir Programme of the Farewell Season of African Jazz and Variety, ESAT Archives
http://electricjive.blogspot.com/2011/09/shebeen-1959-south-african-jazz-musical.html
http://electricjive.blogspot.com/2011/01/change-through-african-jazz-and-variety.html
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