Samstag

04.07.2015

22:00

Bühne Zavarovalnica Maribor - Minoriti

Jazzlent

Konzert

HUGH MASEKELA (RSA)

Hugh Masekela – vocal, flugelhorn
Fana Zulu – el. bass
Cameron Ward – guitar, vocal
Johan Mthethwa – keyboards, vocal
Francis Fuster – percussion, vocal
Lee-Roy Sauls – drums, vocal

Hugh Masekela is a real living legend who has been an activist against racism, and apartheid, a humanitarian in the fight against AIDS, and foremost the first name of African music. In 2010 he opened the FIFA World Cup with his band, and has reached the record-breaking TV rating of 500 million. A year later, he was guest musician at the biggest U2 concerts (featured in »I still haven't found what I am looking for«). He arranged music for one of the best-selling albums of world music, »Graceland« by Paul Simon, and fought for the liberation of Nelson Mandela in the 80's, when he had also written the song »Bring back Nelson Mandela, bring him to Soweto«, which became the cry of all freedom fighters. The whole history of the South African Republic is reflected in his music, intertwined with courage and sadness, happiness and passion.

Masekela stepped on his musical path in 1954, when the local priest gave him a trumpet, saved him from the merciless apartheid, and helped him on his way to Great Britain, where, for two years, he played in the first internationally successful South African musical King Kong. He was a member of the first South African band (The Jazz Epistles), where Dollar Brand (later known as Abdullah Ibrahim) played the piano. Famous violinist and conductor Yehudi Menuhin made it possible for him to study in the USA, where he was mentored by Harry Belafonte and Miriam Makeba. Already in 1968, Maskela wrote his best known song »Grazing in the grass«, and experienced incomparable international fame in the early 70's, sold out all auditoriums in the USA and became the messenger of South African music in the eyes of the Europeans. He even collaborated with Fela Kuti, and played the trumpet in one of the earliest recordings of Bob Marley.

Although he is 76 now, he is still in great shape, and his music cast always includes the topmost musicians. In 2014 he received the most prestigious world music award – WOMEX Award. Surprisingly, he has never had a concert in Slovenia before, and this is why his performance at Lent Festival is going to be a special treat!