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Morris Goldberg - Old and New

DRAFT  ! 2/10/26 - Embargoed to 25th October 2026.

With luck (if we can get all the pre-release clearances), three albums by this celebrated Cape Town born, New York based, Jazz Saxophonist will be available on the 25th of October 2026.

It's a special day, Morris's birthday, and it's a very special birthday, 90 years on the planet! Although Morris made a life and career for himself in the USA, he nevertheless has kept his contacts and inspiration that the Cape (South Africa) gave him in his early music experiences. 

He has been closely involved as a musician with such names as, Dollar Brand (Mannenberg), Hugh Masekela, Harry Belafonte, Tony Bird, Paul Simon and many others . Below a link to some of the story.

One of these albums makes it's digital streaming and download debut. This is the album of his band Ojoyo recorded in Grahamstown at the annual arts festival there. Titled African Gold, Ojoyo live in Africa, and featuring a star line-up.

As Mountain Records we are delighted to promote the releases of Morris Goldberg. He is at home with us as it were (in the shade of Table Mountain), where many great Cape Jazz artists have found support for their work.

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 First of the three albums is Moving Forward from 2002. 


 Link to the music (After release) >

Here some of Morris comments on the tracks > 

    "I was listening to the negotiations between Nelson Mandela and the South African (SA) government. Things were stalling and I said to myself - Forward Motion. The melody then came to me. Years later Neville Grusd wrote the lyrics to the song. 

Spokes was inspired by Spokes Mashiane, the great penny SA whistle player. 

I slowed the rhythm down in Guma (Goema) Blues. Written for a dear old friend who left us too soon. 

I was in Cape Town and woke up one morning at 4 am to the sound of the Muezzin. That in inspired Madagascar. 

I am a product of the Cape. There are so many sounds if you listen."

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 The second rerelease is Oyoyo plays Safrojazz. This is the version issued in 2021.


Music link (After release) >

Hear are Morris' comments on players to feature on the tracks on this album. >

    "Ojoyo plays Safrojazz. Big feature is Chris Botti - trumpet. 

Station Rd. Strut. The street in Observatory C. T. Where I grew up. Me on Penny whistle.

Forward motion. As before, also featuring Chris, Anton Fig

Harare. Inspired by my visit there playing with Harry Belafonte at a festival for UNICEF 

Madagascar. As before plus Chris and Cyro Baptista on Percussion 

Dolphin Jive. Watched dolphins playing in the water in Cape Town - inspired the tune.

Little Song. Translates from Liedjie

Cape Doctor. Abdullah said my writing is very Mediterranean. 

Rockwela. Co. written with Anton Fig. A combination of rock and Kwela featuring Diego Urcola on trumpet, Richard Cummings on keyboard. 

Sophiatown Society. Co written with the late Pops Mohamed.  I played on his albums in the 90’s"

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The latest release is the debut of African Gold in the digital distribution arena. The recording is from 1998 and was originally only on CD. Recorded live at the Standard Bank Jazz Grahamstown Festival in Grahamstown, Cape South Africa. 

The musician line-up includes some of Morris' New York based members of his band Ojoyo. 
Morris Goldberg - Alto Saxophone, Penny Whistle and vocals.
Anton Fig - Drums
Chulo Gatewood - Electric Bass
Tony Cedars - Piano, Electric keyboards, Accordion
Bheki Koza - Guitar
Cecelia Tenconi - Tenor saxophone
Omar Kabir - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Trombone and Conch Shells
Valerie Naranjo - Percussion



Music link (After release) > 

Morris' comment to us on the tracks on this album >

    "The Bridge. A song of old Cape Town. The fish cart going by my house across the tracks. Tony Cedras on accordion.

Rockwela. Written by me and Anton Fig. Combination of Rock and Kwela Omar Kabir ttumpet

Fax Max - Max was my father’s name. Anton drums Omar trumpet

Dolphin Jive. Tony Cedras Accordion (Graceland). Chulo Gatewood bass

Durant. Written by Michael Ochs and me

The Meeting. Remembering talks doing away with Apartheid . Bheki Khosa guitar. Hns. 

Pedal Pusher. Written by David Bravo and myself. Is in the first South African Fake Book 

Mbaqanga and the blues. My story in rap."


A first for Morris, better known for alto and soprano sax and penny whistle (Graceland), is the rap vocal which relates his early life history in music in the final track on the album.

Like Morris' very successful album - Jazz in Transit, with the Tony Schilder Trio, African Gold is also a live recording. Produced by Morris and Henry Shields, who also produced the live show.

Other credits are -  Recorded and mastered by Dirk van Straaten,  Live sound by Dave Bongers.



Mountain Records










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