Julian Bahula
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| Born | (1938-03-13)March 13, 1938
Eersterust, Pretoria, South Africa
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| Died | October 1, 2023(2023-10-01) (aged 85) |
| Occupation(s) | Drummer, composer and bandleader |
| Awards | Order of Ikhamanga |
Julian Bahula (Order of Ikhamanga) (13 March 1938 – 1 October 2023)[1][2] was a South African drummer, composer and bandleader, based since 1973 in Britain, where he formed the music ensemble Jabula.[3][4]
Sebothane Julian Bahula was born in Eersterust, Pretoria, South Africa. He first gained a reputation as a drummer in the band Malombo.[5] He migrated to England in 1973 and subsequently formed the group Jabula,[6] which in 1977 combined with the group of saxophonist Dudu Pukwana to form Jabula Spear.[4] Another later project for Bahula was the band Jazz Afrika. In the 1980s, Bahula played with Dick Heckstall-Smith's Electric Dream ensemble.
AsEugene ChadbourneofAllMusic has written: "Bahula has been as tireless a promoter of the music of his homeland in his adopted country as he is an on-stage rhythm activator. One of his most important moves was establishing a regular Friday night featuring authentic African bands at the London venue The 100 Club.[7] He booked a lot of musicians who were also political refugees; his series began to symbolize a movement for change. Players such as Fela Kuti, Miriam Makeba, and Hugh Masekela were among the performers whose early British appearances were organized by Bahula."[5]
With the Anti-Apartheid Movement, Bahula organised in 1983 African Sounds, a concert at Alexandra Palace to mark the 65th birthday of Nelson Mandela, drawing a 3,000-strong audience and raising the international profile of Mandela and other political prisoners.[7]
In 2012, President Jacob Zuma presented Bahula with the Order of Ikhamanga (Gold).[8]
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