This is the song that Kermit Ruffins was playing at Vaughn's in the first episode of Treme' I thought it was very cool so I tracked it down and uploaded it by all means enjoy. Skokiaan!!!
"Skokiaan" is a popular tune originally written by Rhodesian (Zimbabwean) musician August Musarurwa (d.1968) (usually identified as August Msarurgwa on record labels) in the tsaba-tsaba big band style that succeeded marabi. Skokiaan (Chikokiyana in Shona) [1] refers to an illegal self-made alcoholic beverage typically brewed over one day that may contain a dangerous ingredient, such as methylated spirits.[2][3] The tune has also been recorded as "Sikokiyana," "Skokiana," and "Skokian."
Great to know more about this style !! I "bumped into" the "Bulawayo sweet rhythm band" about a week ago and havn't been able to stop smiling since !! their version of Glenn Miller's "In the Mood" (1947 accourding to label) is my nominee for the FIRST "rock 'n roll" record, as it starts off sorta 'swing', but says about 1/2 way through :"hell, let's go !! " Just TRY to frown / be stern while it plays, lol !! ... If you had tried to convince me, in my youth, that a 1947 record made in Zimbebwe (yeah. I know it was called "Rhodesia" then) was the "1st", or even "a" rock-'n-roller, I would have asked about what you were smokin' , LOL !!
BTW, I've been a pro musican most of my (so far !!) 65 year life, playing Rock, country, blues, jazz, ju-ju, reggae,salsa & such and I'm a real affecianado of "Raw / diamond in the rough" styles of music !! I find that as one gets to be more "skilled" it sometimes just means more " slick" / formulaic !!
He wrote chikokhiani in Zimbabwean language shona not skokiaan, skokiaan is afrikaans word only in South Africa by the the song was popularised by Hugh masekela
Thank you for giving credit where it is due! This is a popular song to play on marimbas in the US. Dumi Maraire came here back in the late 60s as a doctoral student at University of Washington in Seattle and he taught lots of people this song. It has been passed through a couple generations now - I learned it from one of Dumi's students, and I've taught it to little kids. What a great song!
Thank you this is a legendary song that shaped Southern African Township Jazz gave birth to Kwela and Marabi. Zimbabwe used to be a musical powerhouse.
Been scouring for a couple hours before I realized I should youtube for this particular version. To be honest, this ensemble is absolutely perfect and I haven't heard any other versions as crisp and catchy as this one. I am a very huge Kermit Ruffins fan now.. and kind of upset it took David Simon / Eric Overmeyer to show me his brilliance. Kudos to them for making him be a series mainstay.
NICE GOING, guy's !! very skillfully done / technically correct, without losing what made the music so damned much fun to listen to in the first place !!
This is an awesome FEEL GOOD tune. Kermit always makes me feel better . Thuirsdays sweatin at Vaughns are awesome . ALL ABOARD! my hats off to Sir Smokesalot!
@spokest also done by louis armstrong & orchestra with omer simeon on soprano of which most probably you know already + the cold storage band (bulawayo jazz) of rhodesia recorded early 50ies which is absulutely charming with its originality plus there´s a recording by the early english traditional chris barber jazz band worth listening to with jamaican bertie king on sax. enjoy yourself
"Skokiaan" is a popular tune originally written by Rhodesian musician August Musarurwa (d.1968) (usually identified as August Msarurgwa on record labels) in the tsaba-tsaba big band style that succeeded marabi. Skokiaan (Chikokiyana in Shona) [1] refers to an illegal self-made alcoholic beverage typically brewed over one day that may contain a dangerous ingredient, such as methylated spirits.[2] [3] The tune has also been recorded as "Sikokiyana," "Skokiana," and "Skokian."
@billholio good to know these new NewOrleans musicians haven´t forgotten these wild tunes.... KR also plays oh didn´t he ramble etc.... CONGRATULATIONS
Nice! Sitting in a Popeye’s in New Orleans listening to this. Skokiann is one my favorite tunes off the Herb Alpert + Hugh Masekela album from the 1970s.
@Mastaace yeah this is the first piece of just music I have ever uploaded to youtube. I found the music somewhere, then just found a picture of Kermit and let fly. Yeah I heard the song on that first episode of Treme' and I was hooked and I had to find first what the record was, and then a cool version of it. Glad you enjoyed.
oh yah: ver-r-r-y well done you guys. August M., Bert K., and the Four Lads did it beautifully, made me sway. You have, too. Very nicely done you guys!
@bigjoe7669 hallelujah brother armstrongs version took me on a long journey into jazz when i was a teen and straight to africa far away now i hear different versions and i got those by the bulawayo sweet...band and the cold storage, very original, basic plus this one by kermit ruffins, then back to satchmos vibrant trumpet an the blues you can hear in omer simeons sporano...........
YES this is it: the Global Lingo that we all need to keep alive after Hurricane Katrina and BPs Oil Flood. Kermit, you got it - and we all feel the love for your AFRO-AMERICAN ROOTS represented by your phrasing, riding on a real JUNGLE BEAT.
@steveB2k6 Amen brother I heard the same and when I listen back to the song I feel like it's that kind of song like it's that old like it's that important.
This is an awesome FEEL GOOD tune. Kermit always makes me feel better . Thursdays sweatin at Vaughns are awesome . ALL ABOARD! my hats off to Sir Smokesalot!
NO NOT AT ALL.. BRAVE COMBO SHOULD LISTEN TO THIS BECAUSE THIS IS AUTHENTICALLY FROM NEW ORLEANS. THE SOURCE. SIMPLE AND PLAIN.. DENTON TEXAS IS VOID OF AUTHENTICITY.BY THE WAY KERMIT HAS NO DEGREE IN JAZZ HE LIVES IT. GO TO THE SOURCE.
This is Authentically South African this is an old 50s 60s I grew up Listening to the Original Jazz in Zimbabwe. He did a great job on it enough respect for Kermit.
