Robbie Jansen(5/8/1949 - 7/7/2010) : Funeral Service

Robert “Robbie” Edward Jansen the Cape Jazz music legend passed away peacefully on 7th July 2010 at 16h20 at the Netcare Hospital in Kuilsriver Cape Town.


He died as a result of respiratory complications due to his on-going Emphysema medical condition and was surrounded by the love and support of his wife, Mother, eight younger siblings until the end.

Robbie Jansen’s career started in his early teens and he quickly became a respectable and versatile musician. He was a multi talented instrumentalist and a gifted singer with a warm gravelly timbre to his voice and an equally lovely burnished tone on his alto saxophone, his main instrument. During the struggle years of apartheid, he was the pied piper calling people on his flute to rallies all over the Western Cape. In later years that flute evoked the warm sounds of peace and reconciliation. He helped develop the Cape Town sound and is fondly thought of as the musical voice representing his people. Over the years, Robbie’s influence on South African and African music has reached legendary status and today musicians’ especially young aspiring saxophonists have been influenced by his signature tone and jazz inflected voicing.

Robbie was a pioneering member of the Ghoema sound, a musical idiom particular to the Cape and sourced from the sounds of the marching carnival and Christmas bands. Mr. Jansen’s talents were well documented through an extensive career of Cape and African Jazz. His involvement in a number of Cape Town bands most notably the Rockets, Pacific Express, OsWietie, Spirits Rejoice and his Sons of Table Mountain took his unique talent to the people in clubs and concert venues all across South Africa and the international stages.

Over the last 5 years Jansen concentrated on his solo career and helping develop the talents of younger musicians. Today his music is taught at music institutions the world over where saxophonists emulate the sounds of this musical genius for newer generations to enjoy.

Saturday 17 July 2010 @ 10:30am
His People Christian Centre - N1 CITY
c/o Joe Hattingh & Solly Smiedt Rd's
Goodwood

Viewing of the body 9:30am - 10:20am.

service will start at 10:30am and will be conducted by Pastor Glen Robertson
Seating for 4,000

A private cremation will follow (family members only)

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