Hugh Masekela Tickets

What 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.

Why don't people have any sense of propriety? An otherwise magnificent concert was severely marred by audience members on their phones and iPads...texting, checking feeds, who knows what they all do -- the glare disturbs other members of the audience and the activity is tremendously disrespectful to the musicians who invest their blood and guts and time in their craft to ensure that we, the audience, get to experience what we came for: blissful, transcendent music. Here is a pianist nearly 80 years old, and these folks don't have the patience of a three-month old until they can return to their transitional object, their digital blankies? Shame on them.

Astounded by concert. Still the best jazz arrangement and performance.

This show was excellent. But I still missed Hugh Masakela not being there.My second time seeing Abdullah Ibrahim.He never dissapoints.

I see a lot of live music, particularly jazz & world. This was a real clinker as far as i'm concerned, and not primarily because Masakela couldn't make it, altho his presence would have added a missing dimension to Ibrahim's set, and not even because Dorothy Masuka's short set was more like a sloppy rehearsal where she clearly expressed her frustration at the accompanying musicians not knowing her music ! But what made it a clinker was Ibrahim's set--starting out with a too long meandering piano solo that seemed to go nowhere, and then bringing on the horns and rhythm section, all talented musicians to be sure, playing the most lifeless lackluster mainstream jazz i've ever seen, the kind that leads people to say "jazz is boring". Not a hint as far as I could tell of what one hears on Ibrahim's earlier albums, and I've heard Ibrahim live a few times in the 1980's and 90's, his music was electrifying and unique--a la his albums "Soweto" and "South Africa". Something wasn't right that nite. And this was billed as "African Freedom Day"--but there was no trace of how Ibrahim righteously used his music as a weapon in the fight against apartheid South Africa. As Simon Rentner put it on an NPR background piece on 4/26/17, "Over the years, his music with the chamber ensemble Ekaya has only become quieter and more introspective, a far whisper from what he originally sounded like with the Jazz Epistles." WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT !

This was my first live encounter with the great Adullah Ibrahim. I bought tickets mainly to see Hugh Masekela and was disappointed when his appearance was made impossible due to a medical emergency BUT I am more than happy I was at this performance. Although Lesedi Ntsane was the weakest link in the ensemble and did not make up for Masekela's absence, Ibrahim and Ekaya represent a segment and style of jazz that I particularly love - the harmonies created, the overall musicality, lyricism, gratitude and love that drives the sound is classic South Africa jazz. Each ensemble member an extraordinary musician and Ibrahim a monumental presence. I was unfamiliar with Verse 1 of the Jazz Epistles - a beautiful, reverent deeply spiritual meditation composed during South Africa's most hostile period has much to teach us today. Long live the soul of South African music and it's master musicians. May your resistance inspire us in these very troubling times.

The show was outstanding, Hugh was exceptional with his vocals and allowing audience to participate.. A concert to be remembered. The other musicians were unbelievable. I am ready to see this show again.

he had the audience in the palm of his hand as soon as he came out on stage and never lost hold once. great performer.

Such energy. Such joy. So much positive energy. He and his band wer very generous.

Hugh Masekela. brought tears to my eyes!!! Unforgettable, Speechless. Great Concert!