Hugh Masekela

Subject: Hugh Masekela
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 05 Aug 04 - 08:20 PM

I'm lisenting to his CD now, its really nice, and called greatist hits.

i jeard on the radio that he did some singing with paul simon, but i didn;t know that.

Subject: RE: Hugh Masekela
From: GUEST,M'Grath of Altcar
Date: 06 Aug 04 - 04:49 AM

Hugh Masekela is a trumpet player I think jOhn.
He's very good.
As a child Hugh lived in South Africa. He joined the local rugby team so that he could ask the local vicar to buy him a trumpet!! The local vicar was to become Archbishop Trevor Hudlestone. He acquired the trumpet.

Subject: RE: Hugh Masekela
From: PoppaGator
Date: 06 Aug 04 - 01:35 PM

I got to see the great Hugh Masekela at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival earlier this year, on closing day (the first Sunday of May). He must be well up in years by now, but he was incredibly energetic, leading an excellent big band on vocals and horn.

I believe he plays flugelhorn exclusively, which is sort of an oversized trumpet (much as a cornet is a minature trumpet).

The highlight of his set was his big hit from the 1960's, "Grazin' in the Grass." It's really quite a unique tune, with very infectious polyrhythms, and the basis for some extensive and impressive improvisation. Although Hugh did sing on some other numbers, he and his band performed "Grazin'" strictly as an instrumental.

It was recorded with vocals years ago -- by the Fifth Dimension, perhaps? -- but since the composer does the tune without vocals, perhaps he wrote it as an instrumental, with the lyrics added later by someone else. Anyone know?

Subject: RE: Hugh Masekela
From: fat B****rd
Date: 06 Aug 04 - 03:25 PM

That's him on trumpet on The Byrds "So you7 wanna be a rock'n'roll star". Grazin in the grass was I believe a Masakela composition with lyrics later by Harry Elston and Floyd Butler of The Friends Of Distinction.

Subject: RE: Hugh Masekela
From: PoppaGator
Date: 06 Aug 04 - 05:27 PM

Thanks, fat B.

The Friends of Distinction, indeed! I had forgotten that bit of trivia, and never did know that the lyrics were supplied by two members of the group.

I had also never known about Masakela playing on that Byrds tune.

(There seems to be server trouble today, unless the problem is all here on my end. I've been getting "Page Not Found" messages all day, this time when trying to . I may be posting this more than once, or on the other hand perhaps not at all

Subject: RE: Hugh Masekela
From: open mike
Date: 06 Aug 04 - 08:11 PM

i was thinking that Hugh perhaps was on Graceland, the 1996 "album" by Paul Simon. I do not see him in the credits of the original recording, but he definately performed in the Concert in Africa in 1997 with Paul, Mirim makeba, Ladysmith Black Mumbazo and others...here are a couple of reviews.:

First of all, the songs and musicianship are all excellent, as one would expect, and that's the most important thing. ......In 1987, Apartheid was brutally oppressing South African blacks, as it had for many many years, with no sign of how long it would continue. Nelson Mandela was in prison where he had been for over 20 years. There was an international embargo, which Paul Simon had braved and taken some heat for daring to work with South African musicians. This concert featured exiled South Africans Hugh Masekala and Miriam Makeba performing in Zimbabwae on the border of South Africa. The situation was charged and tense, and it took strong moral courage and talent for Paul Simon to bring it all together, put himself under pressure and under criticism and perform these moving and brilliant songs for the people and for the world.

This is one of the most amazing concerts ever! Not only is the music amazing, but the players are royalty. It is a powerful example of the potential music has to speak the truth and move the soul. Somebody complained about the quality of the sound or whatever -- but I don't understand how that can even be an issue you'd want discuss in the review of such a powerful piece of musical history....

and from another viewer:

This concert is a celebration of freedom, and the music is a celebration of truth. It is a joy to watch, and even if you're not a Paul Simon fan, you probably still won't be able to keep yourself from being moved -- either figuratively or literally: my friend (who's not a big Paul fan) said she couldn't stop dancing. Miriam Makeba -- who had been in exile from her homeland for 27 years because of her political beliefs -- has an inspired presence, as does Hugh Masakela -- also a political exile. Ladysmith Black Mambazo is both a force to be reckoned with and a perfect example of gentle humility. All the "back-up" players are astounding, and Paul is as full of love and humility and sincerity as he could possibly be.

Subject: RE: Hugh Masekela
From: Margret RoadKnight
Date: 06 Aug 04 - 11:53 PM

Hugh Masekela was one of Miriam Makeba's husbands, and plays on some of her early albums.
Also on early albums of Harry Belafonte, who brought him to the USA