Daihachi Oguchi
1924 – June 27, 2008
Daihachi Oguchi was a Japanese drummer who was closely associated with the taiko form of drumming. Oguchi formed several taiko groups including the famed San Fracisco Taiko Dojo who have been seen performing in several Hollywood movies over the past 40 years. Oguchi died the day after being hit by a car. He was 84.
David Mankaba
1959 – June 27, 1991
David Mankaba was the bassist for Zimbabwean jit band, the Bhundu Boys. As their fame grew outside of Africa, they started to receive praise from the like of Elvis Costello and Madonna who invited them to open her Wembley show in front of 80,000 fans. Mankaba died of tuberculosis complicated by AIDS, the announcement marked the first time a prominent Zimbabwean had been declared dead as a result of AIDS. Before his passing, he had asked his family to make the announcement to further AIDS awareness around the world. He was 32.
Ali Akbar Khan
April 14, 1922 – June 18, 2009
Ali Akbar Khan was a master of the Sarod who came to America from his native India in 1955 and along with Ravi Shankar, was instrumental in introducing Indian music to the western world. Throughout his career, Khan recorded 95 albums, was nominated for five Grammys, and scored music for many films. In 1967, he established the Ali Akbar College of Music in San Rafael, CA. Khan died of kidney failure at the age of 87.
Victoria “Busi” Mhlongo
October 28, 1947 – June 15, 2010
Known as the “Reigning Queen of Zulu music,” Busi Mhlongo was a respected South African singer-songwriter and producer whose music included elements of West African, jazz, reggae, rock, funk, soul and gospel. Over a career that spanned the better part of four decades, Mhlongo built an international fan base while working with the likes of Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela. Busi Mhlongo was 62 when she died of breast cancer on June 15, 2010.
Jackson Kaujeua
July 3, 1953 – May 27, 2010
Born in South Africa, Jackson Kaujeua grew up to become a much respected politically active singer, composer and musician. He is perhaps best remembered for his gospel songs. During the mid ’70s, Kaujeua was expelled from his country for his anti-apartheid activities and later moved to the UK where he performed with the popular Black Diamond. He returned home to Namibia after its independence in 1990 and became one of its most popular musicians. Jackson Kaujeua was 56 when he died of a kidney disorder on May 27, 2010.
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