In South Africa, Hugh Masekela is, to most fans and musicians alike, simply 'Bra Hugh', an icon with the most human of touches. But for the global jazz audience, Masekela remains an artist of the highest order as his latest international tour reveals.
Masekela has just come off a four-date, high-profile set of dates in Europe and is currently blowing up a musical storm in America, where he lived in exile for many years and is a country that regards the songwriter and performer as a second son. And already the rave reviews are streaming in for Masekela's high-wattage performances.
The Guardian, acknowledged as one of the UK's most respected newspapers, described
Masekela as “a commanding figure, who knows how to work the crowd", adding “Like Dizzy Gillespie in his later years, Masekela sings and talks more than he blows, but whenever he puts flugelhorn to lips, he plays with concision and eloquence".
The Guardian was reviewing one of three 'A Jazz Odyssey: Music and Migration' concerts that Masekela featured in, starting in London on March 30th (a performance with Dhafer Youssef) and moving onto Paris (March 31st) and Budapest (April 5th). Writing himself in The Guardian on the series of concerts, Masekela pointed to the deep-seated music connections that bring countries and musicians together. “Globalisation might be a catchphrase in the financial and economic corridors of the world these days, but it's been a musical phenomenon for many, many years," Masekela says.
His intense touring schedule is proof of this and after his 'Music and Migration' dates and a performance at the World Music ceremony at London's Brixton Academy on April 7th, Masekela left for America where he has a hectic schedule of live shows planned.
Like his European performances, Masekela is earning rave reviews in the States for his live shows which features one of the best bands working in South Africa. Touring with Masekela is Sello Montwedi (drums) Oakantse Koketso Hendrick Moilwa (keyboards), John Blackie Selolwane (drums), Arthur Tshabalala (keyboards), Abednigo “Fana" Zulu (bass), and Ngenekhaya Mahlangu (saxophone).
Masekela is currently working on a new studio album himself and is integrally involved in the slate of artists signed to or in joint venture partnerships with Chissa Entertainment Group, including the critically acclaimed Bala Family Album.
Masekela has just come off a four-date, high-profile set of dates in Europe and is currently blowing up a musical storm in America, where he lived in exile for many years and is a country that regards the songwriter and performer as a second son. And already the rave reviews are streaming in for Masekela's high-wattage performances.
The Guardian, acknowledged as one of the UK's most respected newspapers, described
Masekela as “a commanding figure, who knows how to work the crowd", adding “Like Dizzy Gillespie in his later years, Masekela sings and talks more than he blows, but whenever he puts flugelhorn to lips, he plays with concision and eloquence".
The Guardian was reviewing one of three 'A Jazz Odyssey: Music and Migration' concerts that Masekela featured in, starting in London on March 30th (a performance with Dhafer Youssef) and moving onto Paris (March 31st) and Budapest (April 5th). Writing himself in The Guardian on the series of concerts, Masekela pointed to the deep-seated music connections that bring countries and musicians together. “Globalisation might be a catchphrase in the financial and economic corridors of the world these days, but it's been a musical phenomenon for many, many years," Masekela says.
His intense touring schedule is proof of this and after his 'Music and Migration' dates and a performance at the World Music ceremony at London's Brixton Academy on April 7th, Masekela left for America where he has a hectic schedule of live shows planned.
Like his European performances, Masekela is earning rave reviews in the States for his live shows which features one of the best bands working in South Africa. Touring with Masekela is Sello Montwedi (drums) Oakantse Koketso Hendrick Moilwa (keyboards), John Blackie Selolwane (drums), Arthur Tshabalala (keyboards), Abednigo “Fana" Zulu (bass), and Ngenekhaya Mahlangu (saxophone).
Masekela is currently working on a new studio album himself and is integrally involved in the slate of artists signed to or in joint venture partnerships with Chissa Entertainment Group, including the critically acclaimed Bala Family Album.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
