Ottawa Examiner
By Dan Lalande
Fans of World Music, rest easy; you have not been forgotten – at least not by the upcoming TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival.
Looking to fill the void left by the abrupt and disappointing cancellation of Youssou Ndour’s Canadian tour, the fest has scored a major coup by bagging South African trumpet player and vocalist Hugh Masekela, thanks to a serendipitous gap in his schedule.
Masekela, who will be gracing the festival’s Canal Stage on June 28, was one of the first artists to bring worldwide attention to the scourge of apartheid, and his music continues to remind us of the tragedy and triumph of that struggle.
Yes, we’ve all seen political figures of note in Ottawa, from Prime Ministers to Presidents – but how many have sold millions of CDs, taken home a Grammy, and can still be called relevant well into their golden years?
For more information, go to ottawajazzfestival.com
