Mariam Makeba was a Grammy winning South African singer who came to prominence during the 1960s. It was Harry Belafonte who was instrumental in her coming to America to land a record deal and continue her career. Makeba received a Grammy for Best Folk Recording in 1966. Exiled from South Africa for many years due to her outspoken political beliefs, Makeba spent many years living in various places, praised for her goodwill gestures, at one point even being a Guinian delegate to the United Nations. In 1990, Nelson Mandela convinced her to come back to South Africa. On November 9, 2008, Miriam Makeba, 76, suffered a heart attack while performing her biggest hit, “Pata Pata” at a human rights concert in Italy. She died as a result the next day.
The beautiful Yma Sumac was a world famous Peruvian soprano singer whose style of music was often referred to as exotica. With a vocal range that has been reported to reach as high as five octaves, Sumac’s career began in 1942. By the late ’40s, she was signed to Capitol Records who released a series of albums that would come to be known as lounge music due to their jazzed up versions of traditional South American folk songs. Over the next two decades, Sumac toured the world, performed on Broadway and appeared in two films. She became a U.S. citizen in 1955, and in 1961, she mounted an unheard of five-year world tour. During the ’90s and beyond, Sumac’s music reached new heights thanks to a renewed interest in lounge music, and because contemporary artists like the Black Eyed Peas began sampling her recordings. In 1998, her “Ataypura” appeared in the cult fave, The Big Lebowski, while other songs have been used in a commercial here and there. Yma Sumac was 85 when she passed away of colon cancer on November 1, 2008.
Antonio Luis Alves de Souza
1955(?) – October 31, 2009
Antonio Luis Alves de Souza was respected Brazilian drummer who, with his group, Olodum played a unique blend of Oludum percussion and reggae which they called samba reggae. In 1990, de Souza was invited by Paul Simon to play on his Rhythm of the Saints album and in 1991, to perform with him at his huge Central Park concert. In lieu of payment, de Souza asked Simon to give him money to purchase an old building that eventually housed an educational program for local adults and children. In 1996, de Souza performed in Michael Jackson’s “They Don’t Care About Us” video. Antonio Luis Alves de Souza, 54, died of a heart attack on October 31, 2009.
Jonas Asher Bruce
February 9, 1968 – October 8, 1997
Jo Bruce was a founding member, songwriter and keyboardist for the Afro Celt Sound System. Signed to Peter Gabriel’s Real World label, the band accrued countless fans around the world with their unique blend of West African and Irish music. The son of Cream’s Jack Bruce, Jo Bruce helped form the group in 1992. Thanks in part to a heavy touring schedule that included high profile festivals such as WOMAD, the groups debut album sold in the neighborhood of 250,000 units, making them the best selling artist on the label, besides Gabriel. But just as the band released its much anticipated second album, Bruce died suddenly of a massive asthma attack at the age of 29.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
October 13, 1948 – August 16, 1997
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was a popular Punjabi singer and musician who played a form of Islamic music. In 2006, Time magazine included him of a list of Asian heroes, while Spin called him one of 1998’s most influential musicians. Khan found an audience in the West thanks to his work with Peter Gabriel which began in the mid ’80s, and later with Eddie Vedder and Massive Attack. His 1997 Intoxicated Spirit received a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Folk album. Over the course of his 30+ year career, he recorded an astonishing 125 albums. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan died of cardiac arrest while awaiting a kidney transplant. He was 48 years old.
An afro-beat pioneer, the Nigerian born Fela Kuti was considered one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Born to politically active parents in 1938, Kuti later went to London to study medicine, but switched to music. While in college he formed his first band which introduced a sound that married jazz, funk and the West African traditional music, later to be called afro-beat. While visiting the United States in 1969, Kuti was introduced to the Black Power movement, which would strongly influence his beliefs and music moving forward. He soon became a target of the Nigerian government due to the confrontational lyrics in his songs. His house was burned down and he was beaten by soldiers on multiple occasions. But he kept doing what he did best, make great music with a strong message of the poeple. To many, his voice and words were as important as Bob Marley’s was. Fela Kuti died of complications from AIDS on August 2, 1997.
Biggie Tembo was the charismatic lead singer and primary songwriter for the Zimbabwe band, Bhundu Boys. Formed in 1981, the Bhundu Boys were very popular thanks to their unique style that married the local “chimurenga” music with elements of American rock, disco and country. During the mid ’80s, their music began turning on new fans beyond Africa. Both Elvis Costello and Eric Clapton raved about them, and Madonna invited them to open her Wembley Stadium. Due to internal politics, Tembo left the band in 1990. He committed suicide five years later.
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 was the bassist for Zimbabwean jit band, the Bhundu Boys. As their fame grew outside of Afriaca, they started to receive praise from the like of Elvis Costello and Madonna who invited them to open her Webley show in front of 80,000 fans. Mankaba died of turberculosis complicated by AIDS, the annoucement 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.
Sonny Okosun was one of Nigeria’s most popular musicians through most of the ’70s and ’80s. His most popular song was 1977’s “Fire In Soweto,” which was featured on Little Steven’s anti-apartheid album, Sun City. Another of his songs, “High Life” was later featured on the soundtrack for 1986 film, Something Wild. By the mid 80s, Okosun had moved out of the pop arena and transitioned into gospel music. He died of colon cancer on May 24, 2008 at the age of 61.
Celebrated bass player Orlando “Cachaito” Lopez – famed for his work with Buena Vista Social Club – died on Monday (local time). The 76-year-old had suffered complications following a prostate operation, group members and an associate producer told AFP. “They operated on his prostate 10 days ago. He came out fine but later there were complications. I am not sure exactly what,” bandmate Amado Valdes told AFP. The musician, who was the nephew of legendary bassist Israel “Cachao” Lopez, died “in a Havana hospital. Unfortunately he had various health problems,” according to Freddy Fernandez, an associate producer of the group. “It is an irreplaceable loss for Cuban music, he is the last remaining member of the bass playing dynasty,” Valdes added. It also another blow for the Buena Vista Social Club following the loss of Francisco Repilado – better known as Compay Segundo, pianist Ruben Gonzalez in 2003 and singer Ibrahim Ferrer in 2005. Another band member, “Pio” Leyva, died in 2006. “It is a great loss for the group and for Cuban music because he was a superb bassist and a brilliant band mate,” said Manuel “Guajiro” Mirabal, the group’s trumpeter. “He was an excellent person and the quality of his music was, honestly, unparalleled.” Created in 1996, Buena Vista Social Club reunited veteran Cuban musicians, some of whom had slipped into obscurity. It quickly became one of the most celebrated Cuban music projects in the past 50 years after giving birth to the Buena Vista Social Club album and a documentary feature of the same name. The film by German director Wim Wenders was nominated for an Oscar in 2000. – From ABCNews (Australia)
Antonio Luis Alves de Souza was respected Brazilian drummer who, with his group, Olodum played a unique blend of Oludum percussion and reggae which they called samba reggae. In 1990, de Souza was invited by Paul Simon to play on his Rhythm of the Saints album and in 1991, to perform with him at his huge Central Park concert. In lieu of payment, de Souza asked Simon to give him money to purchase an old building that eventually housed an educational program for local adults and children. In 1996, de Souza performed in 
