(Sam
Abrahams)
Legendary Durban saxophonist
Sam Abrahams has passed away at the age of 81.
Friend and colleague
Yogin Devan remembers him with respect. “He played the sax for six decades and recorded
several CDs. His love for music started in the church. He took lessons from the
late Willy Thomas and then founded the famous group, Sam’s Latin Kings which
won several music contests. He inspired many talented musicians such as Dee
Sharma of The Dukes.
"It is sad that yet another talented, prolific artist has gone to the big stage in the sky," Devan continues. "Sam Abrahams kept feet tapping for six decades at a time when it was not easy for people of colour to easily get to work the night club circuit. His pure sounds will linger forever. Play it again Sam up there.”
"It is sad that yet another talented, prolific artist has gone to the big stage in the sky," Devan continues. "Sam Abrahams kept feet tapping for six decades at a time when it was not easy for people of colour to easily get to work the night club circuit. His pure sounds will linger forever. Play it again Sam up there.”
Nanda Soobben,
cartoonist and director of the The Centre for
Fine Art Animation & Design (CFAD) wrote the
following tribute when Sam Abrahams was awarded the TooLittleTooLate Award,
three years ago:
“When Sam Abrahams
blew that sax on Saturday night I was choking … this 78 year old was helped on
to the stage to receive his TLTL Award (TooLittleTooLate Award)," says Soobben. "He thanked
everyone and then started to play That Sax .. he looked frail and was battling
to stand .. I offered him a chair and he insisted on standing .. anyone who
knows will tell you the sax is a difficult instrument to blow .. he tried to
blow a few times and nothing happened .. I was worried … and then he just blew
us all away with Besame Mucho and I
thought I was listening to Arturo Sandoval .. but, this was Sam from
Chatsworth, just as good . if only he had the opportunities!!!"
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