South Africa: Hugh Masekela Charms a DC Crowd

South Africa: Hugh Masekela Charms a DC Crowd

allAfrica.com

MUSIC REVIEW
January 22, 2007
Posted to the web January 22, 2007Msia Kibona Clark
Washington, DC

The Washington, DC night club "Zanzibar on the Water" hosted world renowned South African jazz musician Hugh Masekela on Saturday, January 20. Masekela hit the stage for two performances in front of packed audiences, people who braved one of the coldest nights of the winter to stand outside for an hour to experience Masekela's magic.

He did not disappoint. The still energetic and charismatic musician had the audience singing, dancing, laughing and reflecting. He joked about politics and immigration, and he teased over-zealous audience members, even as he awed fans with musical genius. In attendance was U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer, a fomer American ambassador to south Africa, who took photos and answered Masekela's calls to get up and join with many others to dance.

Masekela's music and performance were uplifting and entertaining. Famous for his activism, Masekela  stuck to those roots by singing songs like "Nelson Mandela" and "Stimela". He also spoke enthusiatically about Barack Obama's campaign for the U.S. presidency, drawing cheers from the audience when he highlighted Obama's Kenyan roots. (The illinois Democrat's father is Kenyan, his mother American.)

Opening for Hugh Masekela was Kenyan songstress Anna Mwalagho, an artist based in the Washington, DC area, who warmed up the crowd with a blend of poetry, African drums, song and African dancing. Her lyrics were socially relevant as Mwalagho spoke of gender and development in Africa, setting just the right tone for Masekela's entrance.

Masekela entertained all who were there. Photographers and club employees set aside their duties and danced along with the South African legend. It was clear that Hugh Masekela is not only a great musician but is also a symbol - a symbol of struggle and a symbol of Africa.