Chris McGregor

Chris McGregor (1936-1990) was a South African pianist, composer and bandleader, born in Somerset West. He led the Blue Notes, the sextet with Dudu Pukwana, Mongezi Feza, Johnny Dyani, Louis Moholo and Nikele Moyake, and left South Africa with them in 1964. Settled in London, he founded the Brotherhood of Breath in 1969, a big band that joined South African players with English improvisers. The Blue Notes left for the Antibes Juan-les-Pins jazz festival in 1964, played in Zurich and then made London their base.