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TRIBUTE: Former US President Bill Clinton joins Herbie Hancock for historic conversation about the genre…
By WSAM Correspondent
WASHINGTON – The 12th annual International Jazz Day (April 30) came to a thrilling close with a spectacular All-Star Global Concert featuring performances from Beijing, Beirut, Johannesburg, New York, Rio de Janeiro, Vienna and beyond.
The All-Star Global Concert showcased celebrated jazz artists including Cyrille Aimée (France), Ambrose Akinmusire (USA), Thana Alexa (Croatia), John Beasley (USA), Dee Dee Bridgewater (USA), Musekiwa Chingodza (Zimbabwe), Emmet Cohen (USA), Kurt Elling (USA), Oran Etkin (Israel), Tom Gansch (Austria), Christian McBride (USA), Sérgio Mendes (Brazil), Marcus Miller (USA), Thandi Ntuli (South Africa), Dianne Reeves (USA), Antonio Sánchez (Mexico), Somi (Rwanda) and many others.
To mark International Jazz Day 2023, former US President Bill Clinton and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock met for an historic conversation about the impact of jazz on their lives and humanity. The two friends reminisced about how they fell in love with jazz and which musicians have most captivated them over the years. They shared stories of how jazz has opened doors across the globe and how their musical experiences helped deepen their own personal and professional growth.
The All-Star Global Concert opened with acclaimed vocalist Somi and her remarkably unique rendition of “House of the Rising Sun” with John Beasley and Ben Williams. The Blue Note China Jazz Orchestra gave a rousing take on the Gershwin standard, “Fascinating Rhythm.” From Casablanca, Morocco, JazzWomenAfrica performed its composition “Bull Door,” sharing musical traditions of Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Mali, Togo and Ghana. Vocalist Yumi Park and Brazilian pianist Marcos Ariel delivered an exhilarating presentation of “Mas Que Nada” from Rio de Janeiro. Oran Etkin and Mbira player Musekiwa Chingodza provided a heartwarming performance from the streets of rural Zimbabwe.
“Today, let us pay tribute to the genius of the creators and musicians who have been defining and redefining jazz for over a century, from Ella Fitzgerald to Manu Dibango,” UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said. “But let us also commit to supporting jazz players across the globe – so that the universal message of peace and humanity conveyed by jazz music resonates worldwide.”
UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock said: “Respect for human dignity is firmly integrated into the DNA of jazz. International Jazz Day honours this important value by embracing the peace and freedom that jazz so eloquently proclaims. And that is the spirit of jazz – finding delight in diversity and creating harmony out of our differences.”
The International Jazz Day 2023 celebration included thousands of jazz performances, jam sessions, master classes, education and community outreach initiatives, and other special events in 195 countries and all 50 US states.
Each year on April 30, International Jazz Day brings together countries and communities on all continents to highlight the power of jazz as a force for freedom and creativity, promote intercultural dialogue through respect and understanding, and unite people throughout the world.
MASEKELA JOINS GIANTS IN THE ANNALS OF HISTORY
LEGACY: The SA icon encouraged youth to be excited about their culture…
By Gugu Sibiya
Jazz maestro and accomplished trumpeter Hugh Masekela’s artistic journey came full circle with his post-humous induction in America’s Wall of Fame, alongside his icon Louis Armstrong.
When the legendary American jazz musician gifted the 17-year-old Masekela with his trumpet in 1956, he unwittingly stirred in him a life-long love for the instrument, unleashing a brilliant music career.
Speaking on behalf of the Hugh Masekela Heritage Foundation (HMHF), an exhilarated Pula Twala who is the late trumpeter’s daughter, said: “We were so excited at Hugh’s induction to the Wall of Fame at New York’s Central Park, in the USA. He was honoured for Jazz Music and Impact on Cultural Development in South Africa. My brother Selema travelled all the way from Los Angeles to be part of that auspicious event.
“I brought Hugh’s trumpet along and had to make a special case for it, ensuring that it never left our sight. It was so gratifying to see the original trumpet he was gifted with by Louis Armstrong on display for all to see after all these years,” she gushes, revealing that the two giants were sharing space with luminaries like Ella Fitzgerald, among others.
On the celebration, Twala said: “Hugh loved working with young people. So, immersing ourselves in the sultry sounds of performances by Mandla Langa, Lesego Ntseane, New York-based Lady Dineo and three beneficiaries of the Foundation’s scholarship, was amazing. It brought memories of him playing in the Jazz at Lincoln Park Festival or at Dizzie’s, a club he loved.
“Hugh’s passion for working with young people led to outstanding collaborations with Mafikizolo, MiCasa, Thandiswa Mazwai, Black Coffee and Becca from Ghana. Something that must have given birth to the idea of the HMHF scholarship. It caters for aspirant musos whose families can’t afford to take them to a prestigious institutions like the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied when he came to America.
“We are really grateful for the partnership with the Manhattan School of Music and that they are paying part of the fees. Not to mention allocating us a space for seven students in 2019. They accommodate two youngsters annually. Out of the six, only one’s a lady. Hopefully there’ll be a larger intake of the fairer sex in the next call-up which will be announced in the media or our social platforms.”
“I was impressed with the lads’ determination to get in. Take Lefa Arosi, who didn’t have access to a piano but used the one he stumbled on at the Mall to audition. Luckily, he made it,” said Twala admiringly.
It all began at St Peter’s College, Sophiatown, in Johannesburg in the mid-50s, during the legendary anti-apartheid campaigner Father Trevor Huddleston’s tenure. He started a band for his charges, including Caiphus Semenya and Jonas Gwangwa. When the gravel-voiced Armstrong bequeathed him gifts for the school, Huddleston presented a sick Masekela with a trumpet just to cheer him up. An act that set him on a magical music trajectory.
When the cultural icon returned home after a long exile in America, there was jubilation. He didn’t waste time dishing out favourites Thuma Mina, Marketplace, Thanayi, Bring Him Back Home, Chileshe, Coal Train, Grazin’ in the Grass, Soweto Blues, Don’t Go And Loose It Baby, to name a few. He even wrote a gripping auto-biography, Still Grazing. “People are extremely excited about the annual Hugh Masekela Heritage Jazz Festival, which started in 2013. We appreciate all the support,” she says.
“A lot of work went into the co-ordination of the event and the travel it entailed. We are indebted to the Department of Tourism and their New York office. Our partnership has been amazing. We are also thankful to the Manhattan School of Music for what they are doing for our starry-eyed aspirant musicians. It’s enabling us to continue Hugh’s legacy of teaching and learning from the young and old.”
Adding her voice to those mourning the passing of another legendary musician, actor, civil rights leader and humanitarian Harry Belafonte,Twala said: “We are deeply saddened by Harry Belafonte’s passing. Not only was he a patron of the HMHF but played a vital role in both Miriam Makeba and Hugh’s careers in America. He connected and encouraged them to be authentic to their musical roots. May his soul rest in peace”. Reflecting on concerns that suggest people let his dad down, Twala disagreed. “Perhaps it’s true if you’re referring to institutions. People loved Hugh, they supported him. Wherever he went, he was shown love and he reciprocated. People stopped him for a chat and he loved that because he really cared about people.
“Most important, he encouraged the youth to be excited about their culture,” she said, proud of her father’s legacy which they are keeping alive through the remarkable work of the Foundation.
