Composer, songwriter and musician from Soweto, South Africa, who has played an influential role in the evolution of South African jazz. A member, along with jazz pianist Abudllah Ibrahim (then, known as Dollar Brand), of the Jazz Epistles, the first Black South African to release an album, Gwangwa has gone on to become an award-winning composer. In addition to composing the scores of such films as CRY FREEDOM (1987), GENERATIONS and OTHELLO, Gwangwa composed the theme music of South Africa's Olympic bid in 1997. When the South African government passed laws making it illegal for Blacks to congregate in the early 1970s, Gwangwa left his homeland. After touring Europe in a musical production of "King Kong," he continued on to the United States, where he attended the Manhattan School of Music in New York. With the encouragement and patronage of Harry Belafonte, Gwangwa was able to successfully break through to American audiences. Continuing to break new ground as a composer and arranger, Gwangwa served ten years as musical director of the ANC cultural ensemble tour, "Amandla." In addition to being nominated for Oscar®, Grammy® and Golden Globe awards, CRY FREEDOM received Ivor Bovello and Black Emmy® awards. Gwangwa returned to South Africa in 1991. He composed music for the TV series "Ulibambe Lingashoni" (1993) and wrote original music for the 2004 documentary A SOUTH AFRICAN LOVE STORY - WALTER AND ALBERTINA SISULU. -- Craig Harris, All Music Guide  Nominated for Achievement in Music Scoring (Original Score) 1987: CRY FREEDOM (w. George Fenton)  Nominated for Achievement in Music Best Song 1987: CRY FREEDOM "Cry Freedom" Music & Lyric (w. George Fenton) 2 nominations