Morris Goldberg

Morris Goldberg is a South African jazz saxophonist, clarinettist, flautist., penny whistler, and singer. Goldberg was born in Cape Town, and grew up in the area known as Observatory. He is recognised as one of the early pioneers of Cape Jazz, along with Abdullah Ibrahim and Chris McGregor. He performed with musicians such as Hugh Masekela, but left South Africa in the apartheid years to study in New York, where he now lives.

Goldberg was born in Cape Town, and grew up in the area known as Observatory. He is recognised as one of the early pioneers of Cape Jazz, along with Abdullah Ibrahim and Chris McGregor. He performed with musicians such as Hugh Masekela, but left South Africa in the apartheid years to study in New York, where he now lives. He attended the Manhattan School of Music, and regularly recorded and performed with artists such as Miriam Makeba and Letta Mbulu. In 1974 Goldberg returned to Cape Town and participated in Abdullah Ibrahim's recording, Mannenberg. He has played with Paul Simon, featuting on his Graceland album. From 1980 until 1988 Goldberg travelled and performed with Harry Belafonte. In 1991 he was featured in Hugh Masekela's homecoming tour, "Sekunjalo", a twenty-date road show that featured Masekela, Bayete, and Sankomota. In 1993, 1994, 1998, and 1999 he returned to South Africa to perform at the Standard Bank Jazz Festival in Grahamstown

In 2004 Goldberg did an extensive tour of the U.S. with Hugh Masekela, playing at major jazz festivals, culminating in the Playboy Jazz Festival, which was recorded and broadcast on WBGO Newark and WLIU Southampton. In March 2005 he performed at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival with his band Ojoyo.

He remains based in New York, but retains strong links with Cape Town and its musicians.