“My biggest obsession is to show Africans and the world who the people of Africa really are”
Hugh Masekela is considered as a South African legend. He is a bandleader, trumpeter, composer and lyricist. In other words, many talents rolled into one person. "Songs of Migration" is not his group's name but is the name of his international tour that celebrates African music and dance. This jazz show is unique because besides the band, many performers contribute to it. Masekela is also an active political voice and he is very much connected to his ethnic roots. His biography shows the incredible extent to which his career and jazz in general taken him. So far he has released over 40 albums!
African culture and musical heritage has always touched my heart. Although not frequently, I try to make time to go to good jazz shows in my hometown. Considering the hardships Africans all around the world have gone through, I am usually puzzled how they could convey their history through such beautiful and non-aggressive music. After listening to Hugh Masekela, I got the same feeling again: this music touches one's soul in a deeper, more primal way. This is especially intriguing for me because my culture is so different than theirs.
Although Masekela has moved away from his home country years ago, he has dedicated his career to show his audience his culture. I find this to be particularly touching because I don't think many people have this kind of courage. It may be possible that people with shared suffering in their history are better at looking out for each other or trying not to forget their past, I don't know. But dedicating one's life, talent, work to this mission, in my opinion, requires a brave soul. For that, I respect this brilliant artist. And we need these people because if the culture is not protected it fades away so easily. People away from their home may prefer to fit in. Any history is precious. Things our ancestors have gone through should not be forgotten in the sense that the anger and violence should not be carried on but art such as music is a great way to preserve culture.
You can get to his official website from here:
http://www.hughmasekela.co.za/
Before I start to read your blog the moment I understood it's about jazz, it took my attention. Though through my reading, I understood why and Iam glad I read it. Many musicians are giving messages in different kinds of musics or different artists are making art which sometimes contains political messages or with the aim of creating awareness. Jazz I think has a special place in all of these. I am not really a jazz expert but as you say it's a non-aggressive and beatiful music. Whatever lyrics are included in jazz, it has a classic and good quality sound, with the speciality of touching the soul in a gentle and deep way. Your writing made me feel peaceful and it's good to know that people are still able to give messages through peaceful and qualified ways. Showing an African heritage in music, and especially with "jazz" is so exiting, naive and colorful.
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