the jazz epistles were south africa's first important (albeit short-lived) bebop band. inspired by art blakey's jazz messengers, its members included dollar brand (later known as abdullah ibrahim) on piano, kippie moeketsi on alto saxophone, jonas gwangwa on trombone, hugh masekela on trumpet, johnny gertze on bass, and early mabuza or makaya ntshoko on drums. the group became famous after performing in the jam sessions called "jazz at the odin" in the odin theater in sophiatown.