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Concert Review
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Pioneer Press, Concert Review >>
Masekela brings message with his music
Native South African dedicates show to genocide victims in Darfur
By: DAN EMERSON
Near the end of his second, sold-out show Wednesday night at the Dakota jazz club in Minneapolis, South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela played the one tune in his repertoire that is most familiar to North American listeners: the 1968 No. 1 instrumental hit "Grazin' in the Grass."
It's somewhat ironic that, if they know the name Masekela, most Americans associate him with a frothy pop hit. That's because the real essence of Masekela's international fame is not pop-music stardom, but his four decades of writing and playing socially conscious lyrics and speaking out against injustice in the Third World.
The stocky Masekela and his well-drilled seven-piece band have been touring to support his new "Live At the Market Theater" CD, recorded last year in South Africa. Wednesday night's set included a number of tunes off the CD, including the buoyant, Afro-beat celebrations "Ha Le Se" and "Up Township."
Masekela also delivered a humorous rendition of "Lady," an international hit by one of his legendary contemporaries, the late Nigerian star Fela Kuti.
Given his international-star stature, Masekela usually performs in stadiums, arenas and concert halls, rather than modestly sized nightclubs like the Dakota. But he certainly sounds at home in a jazz club, playing a trademark style that is a graceful, carefully arranged blend of African poly-rhythms, jazz, R&B and pop music.
Masekela, who celebrated his 68th birthday in April, has understandably lost some of his edge on the trumpet. But time doesn't seem to have diminished his fervor for speaking out in support of human rights, a crusade that dates back to the early '60s, when he left his native South Africa to escape the oppression of apartheid.
The centerpiece of his show could have been his rendition of his song "Stimela (Coal Train)," a signature piece from the 1970s, calling attention to the plight of migrant mine workers in South Africa. (Masekela grew up in a mining town). The song has become something of an international anthem for oppressed workers everywhere. He also brought up the modem-day genocide in the war-torn nation of Darfur, dedicating the show to its victims.
Masekela, who played flugelhorn throughout the set, lightened the mood with another of his 1970s hits, the ebullient Afro-beat tune "The Boy'z Doin' It."
Halfway through the set, when the feisty Masekela put his horn down and greeted the audience for the first time, he seemed miffed by the tepid Minnesota response. "We came 13,000 miles to bring you greetings from the tropics! What is it with that kind of response? Winter's over! Here's your chance to break out of that shell and open up your lungs!"
On the second try, the shouted response rattled the Dakota diners' silverware.
Dan Emerson is a freelance writer and musician in Minneapolis. 07/27/07
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