WeeklySA_AdminTAPESTRY: A tribute to the legendary trumpeter, the festival will feature eclectic sounds from his mentees and musos he admired…
By Gugu Sibiya
Trumpeter, singer and composer Hugh Masekela’s rich legacy proudly woven in the colourful tapestry of beautiful, rhythmic melodies will be celebrated at the 12th edition of the Hugh Fest 2024.
The event takes place at the scenic Nirox Sculpture Park, a stone’s throw from the Cradle of Humankind, on Sunday.
A formidable force in his showbiz era, Bra Hugh was adept at electrifying multitudes of music fans with soulful trumpet sounds which never failed to tug at the heart strings. Out-dancing younger artists, effortlessly getting down, Masekela always evoked admiration. His magnetic sets drew revellers across the age spectrum, who often joined him in singing and dancing along with gusto. They always knew they’d get more than they bargained for. His arrangement of folk songs moved even some of the hardened critics.
When he sadly passed away in 2017, he left a void that has only been filled by his huge catalogue of enthralling music for all seasons. Rooted in the solid jazz foundation, his hauntingly melodic trumpet strands have resonance across genre and age lines – thanks to his unique, signature sound.
What a gem.
It’s this bubbling cauldron of eclectic sounds encompassing his mentees and musos he admired that will find expression on that stage through the voices of MaHotela Queens, TKZee, Zoe MODIGA, Khaya bambisa, Nhlanhla Mahlangu, Tee Mbambisa, Something Brown and Daato Seiko John Selolwana.
The Fest is an integral part of the work done by the Masekela Foundation. According to Pula Twala, the maestro’s daughter, Masekela, wasn’t bothered by matters of legacy.
“Whenever the matter came up, Hugh would simply say that it’s the business of those who’ll be left behind. His concern was more on dishing out the music that people loved so much, collaborating or mentoring young artists. After he passed away, we went about collecting all his works for archiving and showcasing at events. Some of his acquaintances we didn’t know came forward which helped a great deal.
“Hugh had relationships with lots of people from various walks of life, we only met after his passing. He used to refer to himself as young. So he gravitated towards young people. He insisted he was learning from them, in as much as he was happy to impart knowledge to them,” Twala says, explaining that it was Hugh’s choice to be a life-long student.
Continuing, Twala adds,“One fascinating meeting was that of a young visual artist. He told us how close Hugh was to him, and how he used to visit him and spend hours watching him paint. He ended up sketching him, though most of the works he donated to the Foundation were never sought for. They were casually done during those visits. After his passing, he felt that gifting us with the collection was the least he could do considering Hugh’s support and their friendship”.
A flagship scholarship, in partnership with the Juilliard School of Music in New York, USA, is the pride and joy of the Foundation.
“Hugh not only studied there but maintained a good relationship with the school. It enabled him to establish a scholarship for youngsters from disadvantaged communities who want to further their music studies at the esteemed college. Seven students have been enrolled for the course and are already benefiting from the illuminating experience. Nhlanhla Mahlangu is our first graduate and we are so excited that he will also be performing on Sunday,”.
On other significant activities on their calendar aimed at commemorating and preserving Masekela’s legacy, Twala is happy to connect the dots.
“Aside from the fest and scholarship, we hold exhibitions of Hugh’s works. We continue to gather anything related to him but with music, we occasionally run into glitches”.
Masekela’s career owes its origin to American jazz icon Louis Satchmo Armstrong, who gifted him with his trumpet. He was sick, miserable and bored at St Peter’s Boys College in Sophiatown, where he was a boarder. To cheer him up, Father Trevor Huddleston, who was a British, Anglican Priest and head of the school, gave him that life-changing trumpet in the mid-50s. On recovering, he spent hours practising on his instrument.
In the 60s, he joined his sweetheart, the late Mirriam Makeba. Already a trend-setting star, she worked with the legendary Harry Belafonte, who passed away early this year. The lovebirds got married. Hugh studied at the Juilliard.
A rising star, he was the founding member of the Union of South Africa, alongside iconic musicians Caiphus Semenya and the late Jonas Gwangwa. Just like that, a fairy tale, lifelong music career took off and thrived. His life and times are eloquently captured in his gripping, page turner autobiography, Still Grazing.
Masekela passed away in 2017 after a short battle with cancer. The humanitarian and social activist’s exciting, illustrious musical journey spans over six decades. Moments in time and bra Hugh’s insane sense of humour, will be remembered on Sunday. The music razzmatazz, friends getting down and great conversation, will be the order of the day.
