Sean Bergin
Encyclopedia
Sean Bergin is an avant-garde jazz
saxophonist and flautist
originally from South Africa
Bergin was born in Durban
on June 29, 1948. He is saxophonist, flautist, composer
, educator and bandleader
.
In his youth Bergin was influenced by the rich South African jazz and during apartheid played illegally with black musicians. He is one of the expatriates of South African jazz
to find success elsewhere. Since 1976 he lives in Amsterdam
. In addition to his M.O.B. project, Bergin is also active in Trio San Francisco (a saxophone-trio with Tobias Delius
and Daniele D’Agaro), the Bug Band (with Paul Stocker), and in several Tristan Honsinger
-formations. He worked with Mal Waldron
, J.C. Tans and the Rockets and also with Louis Moholo
, Boi Akih
and Miriam Makeba
.
He won the VPRO/Boy Edgar Award
in 2000.
Avant-garde jazz
Avant-garde jazz is a style of music and improvisation that combines avant-garde art music and composition with jazz. Avant-jazz often sounds very similar to free jazz, but differs in that, despite its distinct departure from traditional harmony, it has a predetermined structure over which ...
saxophonist and flautist
Flautist
A flautist or flutist is a musician who plays an instrument in the flute family. See List of flautists.The choice of "flautist" versus "flutist" is the source of dispute among players of the instrument...
originally from South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
Bergin was born in Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
on June 29, 1948. He is saxophonist, flautist, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, educator and bandleader
Bandleader
A bandleader is the leader of a band of musicians. The term is most commonly, though not exclusively, used with a group that plays popular music as a small combo or a big band, such as one which plays jazz, blues, rhythm and blues or rock and roll music....
.
In his youth Bergin was influenced by the rich South African jazz and during apartheid played illegally with black musicians. He is one of the expatriates of South African jazz
South African jazz
South African jazz is the jazz music of South Africa, also often mistakenly called "African jazz".-History:As in the United States, South African jazz was strongly influenced by the music styles of the black population. That said influences from the US led to its formation...
to find success elsewhere. Since 1976 he lives in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
. In addition to his M.O.B. project, Bergin is also active in Trio San Francisco (a saxophone-trio with Tobias Delius
Tobias Delius
Tobias Delius is a musician who plays the tenor saxophone & clarinet.-Music career:Delius began playing saxophone in 1980 in Germany...
and Daniele D’Agaro), the Bug Band (with Paul Stocker), and in several Tristan Honsinger
Tristan Honsinger
Tristan Honsinger is a cello player active in free jazz and free improvisation. He is perhaps best known for his long-running collaboration with free jazz pianist Cecil Taylor and guitarist Derek Bailey....
-formations. He worked with Mal Waldron
Mal Waldron
Malcolm Earl Waldron was an American jazz and world music pianist and composer, born in New York City.Like his contemporaries, Waldron's roots lie chiefly in the hard bop and post-bop genres of the New York club scene of the 1950s; but with time, he gravitated more towards free jazz and composition...
, J.C. Tans and the Rockets and also with Louis Moholo
Louis Moholo
Louis Tebugo Moholo , is a South African jazz drummer.He formed The Blue Notes with Chris McGregor, Johnny Dyani, Nikele Moyake, Mongezi Feza and Dudu Pukwana, and emigrated to Europe with them in 1964, eventually settling in London, where he formed part of a South African exile community that made...
, Boi Akih
Boi Akih
Boi Akih is a jazz/world music trio based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, composed of Monica Akihary on vocals, Niels Brouwer on guitar and prepared guitar, and Sandip Bhattachraya on tabla and percussion....
and Miriam Makeba
Miriam Makeba
Miriam Makeba , nicknamed Mama Africa, was a Grammy Award winning South African singer and civil rights activist....
.
He won the VPRO/Boy Edgar Award
VPRO/Boy Edgar Award
The VPRO/Boy Edgar Award, is an annual award given to a Dutch jazz musician, composer, or bandleader. The individual must have made significant contributions to the Dutch jazz scene over a significant period of time. The award is a sculpture by Dutch fine artist Jan Wolkers, and a cash prize of...
in 2000.
Discography
- Kids Mysteries (Nimbus Records)
- Live at the BIMhouse (BV Haast)
- Copy Cat (BV Haast)
- MOB Mobiel (Data Records)
- Nansika (Data Records)
- Song Mob: Fat Fish (Data Records)