Friends Album Launch Review

Masekela has released a four-CD set comprising mainly reworked and reinterpreted American standards, which certainly demonstrates his jazz side.

Hugh Masekela Revivalist Review- FRIENDS

It’s inspiring, even comforting, to know that a giant like Hugh Masekela can be vulnerable and unsure. This man not only brought a global awareness to his native South Africa, but through his music, he also led the fight to end apartheid, a fight that exiled him from his country for over thirty years.

Hugh Masekela at the Bloemfontein Show

The 73-year-old trumpeter kept his audience asking for more as he performed his hits such as Thanayi and Chileshe. Young and old visited the amusement park during the week-long show.

International Jazz Day at UN

“I am so pleased that each year on April 30th millions of people in hundreds of countries will pay tribute to jazz and its role of uniting humanity,” Hancock declared.

Hugh’s Complete Aural Workout

This time he’s gathered a group of Danish girls and a quartet of local male voices to give new interpretations to South African and Scandinavian folk songs.

Heartfelt Tribute

Masekela did not waste any time getting the crowd warmed up with one of his jive hits. In between his own two personal songs he peppered the audience with tidbits about Makeba’s life.

Hugh Masekela Launches Latest Album – Friends

Photograph by Jonx Pillemer

It has been a huge week for Hugh Masekela. Not only did he celebrate his 73rd birthday, but fresh from his performance at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, he launched a new album and a record label.

Masekela Takes on Kirstenbosch

Celebrating the last Sunday of March 2012 at a mass gathering fronted by Hugh Masekela turned out to be an excellent choice.

Bra Hugh Salutes the Queen

Photograph by Getty Images

Before singing, the jazzman told his audience: “With this great song that I have done with Caiphus Semenya, we call on the people of the world to cease contemplating war against each other.”