Africa was Absent!
by AnnaBananatoo on 5/4/17Town Hall - New YorkWhat happened? After looking forward to this concert for weeks, I left it feeling really disappointed - and not just because Hugh Masakela was unable to be there . Only Dorothy Masuka exhibited the enthusiasm & energy I had been anticipating, and she got no support from the musicians accompanying her as they were clearly unfamiliar with her music. This was supposed to have been a celebration of African Freedom Day, yet she was the only one who brought any African spirit onto the stage. Abdullah Ibrahim appeared disinterested, even sour pretty much throughout. His solo was frustratingly random and disconnected. Nor was I expecting lackluster playing of jazz standards from Ekaya. Where was the joy? Where were the great African pieces Ibrahim and they can play so well? Yes, Africa was absent from this concert.