by Francesco Martinelli The Dedication Orchestra was created in the 1990s to celebrate the legacy of the South African expatriates. The cream of British jazz, coordinated by Evan Parker and Steve Beresford, transcribed the Blue Notes and Brotherhood of Breath repertoire (the original scores being lost in a flood of Chris McGregor's French house) and wrote new arrangements. Featuring drummer Louis Moholo, the only surviving member of the Blue Notes, the Dedication Orchestra's records feature arrangements by Django Bates, Mike Westbrook, Keith Tippett (all three also served as musical directors), Beresford, Kenny Wheeler, Radu Malfatti, and John Law while Moholo and Parker shared soloist duties with Lol Coxhill, Elton Dean, Paul Rogers, Paul Rutherford, Phil Minton, Julie Tippetts, and Maggie Nicols. A powerful artistic statement and a joyous occasion despite the sadness for the departed friends, the Dedication records are a towering achievement and their all too rare concerts are a special treat.