Hartford
DETAILS
Sun, October 12, 2014
Hartford, CT
Show: 7:30 PM
Ticket INFO
Member Presale: 8/12/14 06 AM
Public Onsale: 8/14/14 06:01 AM
20 Years of Freedom featuring South African Legends Hugh Masekela and Vusi Mahlasela with Vusi Mahlasela
Two of South Africa’s true freedom fighters and musical icons—legendary trumpeter, vocalist, and composer Hugh Masekela and singer Vusi Mahlasela join forces for a celebration of 20 years of democracy in their homeland, performing music of the anti-apartheid movement with a stellar backing band. For the first time, Mahlasela's warm, powerful voice meets Masekela's clarion trumpet in songs that are "optimistic and soulful, delivered with an intensity that captures the attention and embraces the heart" (Los Angeles Times).
Hugh Masekela
Connect with this artist:
www.hughmasekela.co.za
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Artist Bio
Legendary South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela is an innovator in the world music and jazz scene and continues to tour the world as a performer, composer, producer and activist. This iconic artist is best known for his Grammy-nominated hit single, Grazing in the Grass which sold over 4 million copies in 1968 and made him an international star. He later played an integral role in Paul Simon’s tour behind the classic album Graceland, which was one of the first pop records to introduce African music to a broader public. Hugh’s solo career has spanned over 5 decades, during which time he has released over 40 albums (and been featured on countelss more) and has worked with such diverse artists as Harry Belafonte, Dizzy Gillespie, The Byrds, Fela Kuti, Marvin Gaye, Herb Alpert, Stevie Wonder and the late Miriam Makeba. In 1990 Hugh returned home to South Africa, following the unbanning of the ANC and the release of Nelson Mandela – an event anticipated in Hugh’s anti-apartheid anthem “Bring Home Nelson Mandela” (1986) which had been a rallying cry around the world.
Similar Artists:
Eddie Harris, Joe Zawinul, Miriam Makeba, Sergio Mendez, Angelic Kidio, Eric Bibb
Vusi Mahlasela
Connect with this artist:
www.vusimahlasela.com
Vusi Mahlasela, is simply known as ‘The Voice‘ in his home-country, South Africa, celebrated for his distinct, powerful voice and his poetic, optimistic lyrics. His songs of hope connect Apartheid-scarred South Africa with its promise for a better future. Raised in the Mamelodi Township, where he still resides, Vusi became a singer-songwriter and poet-activist at an early age teaching himself how to play guitar and later joining the Congress of South African Writers. After his popular debut on BMG Africa, When You Come Back, Vusi was asked to perform at Nelson Mandela’s inauguration in 1994 and continues to spread Mandela’s message as an official ambassador to Mandela’s HIV/AIDS initiative. Vusi has shared the stage with Dave Mathews Band, Sting, Paul Simon, Taj Mahal, among many others. Perhaps is biggest performance was in 2010 when he helped to ring in the World Cup South Africa at Orlando Staduim in Soweto. His 2010 release, Say Africa, produced by Taj Mahal and recorded at Dave Matthews’ studio in Charlottesville, VA, captures Vusi’s hope for the future of Africa: “Let all those who share in Mandela’s greatest wish—to one day see an Africa that is at peace with herself—SAY AFRICA.” his latest release Sing to the People (ATO Records), a celebratory live recording looking back on twenty years since his first album.
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