The Pacific Jazz Institute at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley presents for one night only (with two shows), world music master, trumpeter and flugelhornist Hugh Masekela with the Chissa All-Stars. Set times on Sunday are at 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Doors open at 6:00pm.
South Africa’s legendary Afropop Jazz ambassador, Masekela has played music that closely reflects the street songs, church songs, migrant labor work songs, political protest songs and the sounds of the wide cross-section of ethnic culture South Africa possesses. By the beginning of the 1970’s he had attained international fame, selling out all of America’s festivals, auditoriums and top nightclubs. Hugh conceived the Broadway musical Sarafina with Mbongeni Ngema. After touring in Graceland with Paul Simon, Black Mambazo and Miriam Makeba, Masekela returned home following the un-banning of political parties and the release of Nelson Mandela in 1990. His 1987 hit single "Bring Him Back Home" became an anthem for the movement to free Nelson Mandela. He will be performing with the Chissa All Stars a fresh generation of talented musicians from South African.
In addition to Hugh’s extensive career as one of Africa’s most beloved performers, he is also the founder and co-owner of Chissa Records - South Africa’s first and only black owned record label. As the label’s producing manager, Hugh has been at the helm recording many of South African classic roots performers and he has also been instrumental in launching the careers of many of his country’s new musicians. The label was recently blessed with 9 nominations at the 2007 South African Music Awards.
For this very special tour, Hugh will supplement his normal group with the renown South African classical Afropop diva Sibongile Khumalo, young South African singer Nathi, afro-jazz performer and producer Khaya Mahlangu - as well as a few others from the label’s impressive roster - to comprise his fiery "Chissa All-Stars” ensemble.
Ranging from the traditional Township jazz and Mbaquanga of Soweto, through classic Afropop, and onward to the urban Kwaito music of modern Johannesburg, this global music legend brings his Chissa All Stars to Jazz Alley for an uplifting engagement which showcases South Africa’s rich cultural, political and musical journey.
www.ritmoartists.com/Hugh/Masekela.htm