By Maxazine South Africa 
Four-time GRAMMY-winning drummer, composer, and producer Terri Lynne Carrington and GRAMMY-nominated vocalist Christie Dashiell release “Tears For Johannesburg,” the third single from “We Insist 2025!,” their highly anticipated reimagining of Max Roach’s landmark 1961 protest album. Out June 13 via Candid Records, the track is a funky reworking of Roach’s original, featuring a poignant solo from Julian Priester, the only living musician from the 1961 recording.
Originally composed as a lament for apartheid-era South Africa, “Tears For Johannesburg” echoed Dizzy Gillespie’s Cuban salute, “Manteca,” with its hypnotic bass line, and also foreshadowed the rhythmic revolution to come on recordings like James Brown’s “Lickin’ Stick.” With Morgan Guerin’s New Orleans-infused arrangement, Carrington and Dashiell’s version honors the original’s solemn message, while amplifying its groove – allowing for the funky guitar riffs of Matthew Stevens and the complex rhythms of master percussionist Weedie Braimah (along with Carrington) to lay the foundation for trombone legend Julian Priester and fellow horn soloists Morgan Guerin (sax) and Milena Casado (trumpet).
Reflecting on the track’s significance, Carrington shares, ‘Julian Priester is the only person still living who was on the original recording. So it’s very special to have him as a guest on “Tears for Johannesburg.” This piece was arranged by Morgan Guerin, whose New Orleans roots flavoured this arrangement. The album’s percussionist is Weedie Braimah, also with New Orleans history, so this was a fun song for me to play due to its rhythmic approach. It’s kind of like a drummer’s sandbox – something I could sink my teeth into, especially with the obscured placement of the bass line.’
The single is a testament to Carrington’s visionary artistry and her commitment to using music as a platform for social justice. As an NEA Jazz Master and founder of the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, she has long been a trailblazer in reshaping the narrative of jazz and creating space for underrepresented voices. The album follows her critically acclaimed “New STANDARDS Vol. 1” – celebrated by media all over the world, and winner of the 2023 GRAMMY AWARD for Best Instrumental Jazz Album – which brought long overdue recognition to the work of women composers in jazz. “We Insist 2025!” is a highly focused and timely continuation of this mission.
More than six decades after Roach’s original recording, “Tears For Johannesburg” remains an important commentary on oppression and resilience. Carrington and Dashiell’s reimagining bridges past and present, transforming Roach’s anti-apartheid cry into a relentless trance for justice. By weaving Priester’s historic voice with contemporary rhythms, the track becomes a dialogue between generations—a reminder that the fight for freedom is never confined to a single moment, but a constant push demanding reinvention and reinvigoration.
Photo (c) Erick Bardin
Elodie Renard 
Norman van den Wildenberg