Sean Bergin

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Sean Bergin was a South African jazz saxophonist and flautist, born in 1948 in Durban. He was also a composer, teacher and bandleader. As a young man he was influenced by the rich South African jazz. While still young he played at the Blue Note Club in Durban, where Black and white musicians performed together in the time of apartheid. He was aware of politics early on: his Black playmate had to go to a different school from him. Later he played in Cape Town with Winston Mankunku Ngozi.

Music and breakthrough

In 1973 he left for London, where he worked with Dudu Pukwana and Chris McGregor, two of the important South African jazz musicians in exile. After a stay in the United States he settled in Amsterdam in 1976. He became a fixture of the scene around the Bimhuis and led jam sessions in the café De Engelbewaarder. In 1986 he began his group MOB, short for My Own Band, with, among others, Tobias Delius, Wolter Wierbos and Han Bennink. With the musicians of his Nansika project he played South African jazz.

Influence

He also worked with Mal Waldron, Louis Moholo, Ernst Reijseger, Boi Akih and Miriam Makeba and played in the Trio San Francisco and in groups around Tristan Honsinger. In 2000 he received the VPRO/Boy Edgar Prize. He died in 2012 in Amsterdam. Sean Bergin brought South African jazz to the Netherlands and linked it with the free improvisation of the Amsterdam scene.

Listening

Discography

Studio albums

• 2008Tale of Three City's

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

• After Hours: Session 3^NL Reader