July 15, 2020 — Today brought news of at least the 100th jazz-related death from Covid-19 since the pandemic began.
Singer and songwriter Tsepo Tshola died today (July 15) at a hospital in Teyateyaneng in his native Lesotho, a mountain kingdom that is surrounded by South Africa. He was 67. He performed for more than 40 years, primarily in Lesotho, South Africa and Europe.
Tshola’s was the 100th such death that I have been able to document. I’ve been tracking those losses for the Jazz Journalists Association and my Jazz Notes blog. The losses began on March 10, 2020 with saxophonist Marcelo Peralta, an Argentinian living in Spain since 1966.
I fear there may have been more, because not all obits or death notices list a cause. Here are links to the blogged chronology: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3 and Chapter 4.
Our profound sympathies to their families, friends and fans as we remember the musical legacies they have given us.
