Write an essay on marabi music and indicate why it is regarded as an original South African jazz style of the 1930s - NSC Music - Question 15 - 2021 - Paper 1

Marabi music typically features small ensembles that include instruments such as the piano, brass, woodwind, violins, and drums. Urban Bapedel groups used these instruments to adapt Western tunes and make them accessible to local audiences. Notably, this style of music started gaining traction in the 1920s and 1930s, with ensembles often consisting of diverse instruments including lead guitar and saxophone.

The characteristics of marabi music can be identified through specific musical traits. It incorporates:

1. A regular keyboard style that mirrors American jazz, ragtime, and blues, while also reflecting its African roots.
2. Cyclic four-bar progressions, often following a pattern like I-IV-I-V or I-V-I-IV-I.
3. Repetitive melodic motifs that engage audiences and allow them to easily follow the music.
4. Rhythmic patterns based on traditional African influences, often emphasizing interlocking beats that create a polyphonic texture.
5. Creative exchanges between musicians, combining traditional African music and marabi elements to develop new rhythms and improvisational styles.

A representative band associated with marabi music is The Manhattan Brothers, known for their significant impact on the genre. Another noteworthy group is The Flying Jazz Queens, with a popular song titled 'Langa More,' showcasing the quintessential elements of marabi music.

The essay on marabi music should begin with a clear introduction outlining its significance in South African jazz history. Each section should logically flow into the next, discussing the aforementioned aspects with appropriate transitions. Concluding the essay, it is essential to emphasize how marabi has shaped local jazz music and influenced subsequent generations of musicians.