Advertisement

Masekela tribute

Saturday April 28 2018
masekela

Isaiah Katumwa (left) and Hugh Masekela perform at a joint concert at the Kampala Serena Hotel on February 26, 2017. Masekela died in January 23. PHOTO | MORGAN MBABAZI | NATION

By BAMUTURAKI MUSINGUZI

Saxophonists Manu Dibango from Cameroon and Uganda’s Isaiah Katumwa will pay tribute at a concert honouring to the late great South African music icon, Hugh Masekela in Kampala.

Hosted by Katumwa under his annual Isaiah Katumwa Concert, the live performance will also feature South African singer Siphokazi Mohapi. It will be held at the Kampala Serena Hotel to celebrate International Jazz Day on April 30.

The Isaiah Katumwa Concert, which has been running since 2007, is an annual concert to celebrate especially African jazz artistes who have excelled both in Africa and globally.

“The importance of holding this tribute concert is that our generation lacks musical fathers. We need to recognise the ones we have in Africa.

Masekela was an icon who made his name globally in 60 years of performance while keeping to his true African identity. We have now grown to emulate our great musicians,” Katumwa told The EastAfrican.

“Dibango is a good example of our African music fathers. He has not been to Uganda before so it will be great to have him here on the International Jazz Day.

Advertisement

“Masekela was a great friend of mine as well as Dibango’s friend and contemporary. We need to connect with those who have had a mark on global music,” Katumwa added.

A VIP ticket for this year’s concert will cost USh150,000 ($40.3), and Ush300,000 ($80.7) for VVIP.

Masekela died on January 23, at the age of 78. A bandleader, composer and singer, he played the trumpet and flugelhorn, among other instruments.

His music career spanned five decades. He released more than 40 albums. He used his music to speak out against inequalities and in the fight against the unjust apartheid system.

Known for his unique energetic and vibrant Afro-jazz sound, Masekela is remembered for his popular songs Grazin’ in the Grass, African Woman, Thanayi, Stimela, Khawuleza, Market Place, Strawberries, The Boy’z Doin it and No More Cryin.

Masekela’s first concert in Uganda was at the Kampala Serena Hotel in September 2006 in aid of the Uganda Society for Disabled Children.

Masekela joined Katumwa as the latter was celebrating his 20-year-music career at the “Jazz It With Airtel” concert held at the Victoria Hall, Kampala Serena Hotel on May 8, 2015.

Masekela and Katumwa joined Rotary Uganda to raise funds for two health facilities in Uganda at the Rotary Fundraising Concert on February 26, 2017, at the Kampala Serena Hotel.

Based in Paris, the 84-year-old Dibango, a multi-instrumentalist, composer and bandleader will be accompanied by his Soul Makossa Gang band.

Dibango, who has been at the forefront of African music for over half a century has performed around the world.

With his distinctive saxophone sound has recorded close to 45 albums, composed a host of film scores, won countless awards and even presented his own television show.

Dibango is famous for his 1972 hit Soul Makossa, which sold in the millions worldwide.

After the show in Kampala, Dibango will headline the 2018 the Safaricom’s International Jazz Day celebrations in Nairobi on May 1.

Advertisement