South Africa's multi-talented star Hugh Masekela thrilled Kenyan fans on Thursday, June 9th, 2011 at the Carnivore’s Simba Saloon. This was part of Masekela’s East African tour that also saw him perform in Uganda and Tanzania.
While addressing a press conference prior to the show, Masekela, an accomplished player of the trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone, cornet, composer and singer, expressed excitement at touring Kenya and reconnecting with his fans locally.
Masekela is also popularly known for his marriage to Miriam Makeba whom he divorced with in 1966. He is the father of Sal Masekela, host of American channel E! Show Daily 10 and various extreme sports programs.
Masekela's music journey started when he was 14 as a singer and pianist, inspired by Kirk Douglas after he saw the film Young Man with a Horn. He took up playing the trumphet, his archbishop Trevor Huddlestone, the anti-apatheid chaplain at St. Peter's Secondary School gave Masekela the his first trumpet.
Since 1954, Masekela has played music that closely reflects his life experience including the Agony conflicts and the exploitation South Africa faced during 1950's and 1960's. In 1956 after leading other ensembles, Masekela joined Alfred Herbert's African Jazz Revue.
Masekela's poignant rousing live performance that opened the first ever 2010 FIFA kick - off concert on June 10th and his appearance a day late in the centre of Soweto's Soccer City was also a reminder of his global reach-something that, if anything, is only strengthen in his 70's.
He is scheduling to release his new album by end of the year, in this album he has worked with Afrobeat pioneer and Fela Kuti's drummer Tony Allen.
Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore while speaking at the press conference said the sponsorship of the concert was in line with Safaricom's commitment to developing and supporting the music industry in Kenya.
"Our investment today, bringing in an artist of Hugh stature underscores our commitment to support the growth of music industry in Kenya by showcasing the very best as a learning opportunity over and above our direct investment in building capacity through training and live performances. It is also a great opportunity for us to reward our loyal customers," said Mr Collymore.
Safaricom has a long standing relationship with the music fraternity in Kenya. Apart from sponsoring both the annual CHAT and Groove Awards, the company has an own brand asset, the Safaricom Kenya LIVE a partnership the Kenyan music industry aimed at promoting music excellence and talent among our Kenyan artistes, across all genres and regions as well as nurturing upcoming local music talent. Also, the company is the official sponsor of the annual Classical Concert that has seen big names in jazz music among them the world conquering Soweto String Quartet.
The tour was also sponsored by music promoter Smoove & Full Circle and PC* Communications aims.
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