THE four-day music extravaganza in tribute to the late Hugh Masekela got off to an electrifying start with a lineup consisting of musical acts drawn from the local roster to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Denmark – taking to the Joburg Theatre stage in Braamfontein, on Thursday evening.
The culmination of a partnership betwixt the Hugh Masekela Heritage Foundation and Joburg Theatre, the limited production is directed by James Ngcobo – the Artistic Director for Joburg City Theatres – with the musical direction supervised by trumpeter-cum-bandleader Sydney Mavundla.
Presented in a theatrical style reflective of Ngcobo’s background, the complex’s main stage was transformed into a visual and vocal narrative teleporting the audience into anecdotes of Masekela’s world – while Mavundla ensured that the brass instrument maintained the overarching sound within the multi-instrumental ensemble under his baton.
Hyped as, inter alia, a hint of South Africa’s singularly truly globally-validated music treasure’s Pan-African reach – the sonic event had been curated to honour his memory by taking audiences down a memory avenue celebrating heritage and soul.
The event commenced with Mavundla’s band’s rendition of Masekela’s Blues for Huey, the honouree’s tribute to the Black Panther Party’s Huey Newton – and a reflection of his style of presenting jazz with political and social consciousness, harking back to his exile years.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s hip Afro-pop singer Tresor started out with Masekela’s Afro-Latin influenced composition, Vasco da Gama – and later on delivered the upbeat groove-driven jazz/fusion track, The Boy is Doing It – to the ladies’ delight!
(An embodiment of Masekela’s mission to unite Africa through music, Tresor also mentioned the icon’s involvement in the “Rumble in the Jungle” boxing bout hosted in his country in the early 1970s.)
Contemporary performer, Zoe Modiga followed through with a deliverance of Market Place – in the process, her reinterpretation bridging the gap betwixt the legends and the avant-garde.
Denmark’s Baobab Sisters – a female vocal ensemble known for its African-inspired vocal traditions typified by cross-cultural exchange and storytelling through music – surprised the packed venue by emerging on stage to render Masekela’s Mangwane in a combination of fluent Setswana and Xitsonga. (The group had initially met Masekela through their shared passion for South African musical heritage and collaborative tours at which they performed his songs.)
After percussionist Godfrey Mngcina had momentarily vacated his place at the back of Mavundla’s band to spring the crowd on its feet with a rendition of Khawuleza – the country’s ‘queen of Afro-Jazz’ Judith Sephuma succeeded by delivering the Masekela-composed 1976 Students Uprising piece made famous by Miriam Makeba, viz Soweto Blues.
Verily in her element and resplendent in a flowing green gown, Sephuma’s rendition was made all the more poignant by the projection of some of Peter Magubane’s black-&-white imagery from an epoch which will aptly realize the commemoration of its half-century in a couple of months, hence!
Almost two hours into the show just before a 20-minute interval, seasoned folk singer Vusi Mahlasela occupied the limelight – with the Mamelodi-raised guitarist-vocalist dishing out a gusto-injected performance of Tshileshe and “Hale sele le di Kganna” punctuated by fancy dance moves belying his age!
Included in the lineup was the Ekurhuleni male acappella quartet specializing in harmonious performances which achieved national recognition by performing with legends such as Masekela.
Along with a duo of female singers, the black-suited outfit provided back-up vocals for the various artists on what turned out to be a memorable evening.
Before the show, during the interval and after the show – and in between drinks and a plethora of confectionery treats for attendees – the theatre’s foyer was abuzz with the energy of the who’s-who of Joburg and its surrounding areas.
Present were Masekela’s daughter Motlalepula, sister, Barbara and her son Mabusha. Among other luminaries to witness the occasion were music promoter Peter Tladi; entrepreneur Peter Vundla; radio jazz presenters Nothemba Madumo and KG Moeketsi; and actors Muzi Mthabela and Renate Stuurman.
A temporary kiosk flanked by a large bulb-lit billboard advertising the show, displayed T-shirts emblazoned with a vinyl photographic image of a younger Masekela by American music photographer Michael Ochs, as well as an abstract portrait of his by artist Nelson Makamo.
Along with Masekela’s biography, Still Grazing: The Musical Journey of Hugh Masekela, they were for sale.
Other paraphernalia associated with the trumpeter were a grand piano and the original trumpet which Louis Armstrong had gifted him in the 1950s through Father Trevor Huddleston’s endeavours. Guests were allowed an opportunity to have souvenirs snapped next to it.
A media release made available punts the event as a celebration of heritage through which Africa’s stories will be sung boldly, and Masekela’s spirit will endure on in every note!
Top Image Jacob MAWELA (Vusi Mahlasela limned strutting his stuff during the Tribute to Hugh Masekela concert at the Joburg Theatre.)
