.Mutukudzi                                                   Masekela

By JOWIT SALUSEKI –

ENTHRAL jazz lovers will next month have a rare treat when music legends Hugh Masekela, Oliver Mtukudzi and Zonke Dikana come to perform in Zambia.
The jazz fiesta to take place on September 20-21 this year is organised by Stanbic Bank and the Misty Restaurant to celebrate 50 years of the bank’s existence in Zambia.
Levy Junction shopping Mall will play host to the festival.
Award winning Hugh Ramopolo Masekela is a South African trumpeter, Flugelhornist, composer and singer. Born on April 4, 1939 in Kwa-Guqa Township, Witbank, South Africa, he began singing and playing piano as a child.
At age 14, after seeing the film Young Man with Horn modelled after American Jazzy cornetist- Bix Berderbeckle, Masekela took up playing the trumpet.
He attended Manhattan school of Music in New York, USA, where he studied classical trumpet from 1960 to 1964.
Masekela had hits in the United States with pop Jazz tunes up, up and away (1967) and the number one smash Grazing in the Grass (1968), which won him a Grammy award. The album sold four Million copies.
In 1987, he had a hit single bring him back home, which became an anthem for the movement to free Nelson Mandela’s world tour during his 1992 prison release.
With more than 40 solo albums to his name, he recently started his own label: House of Masekela, which has recently released his latest album, Playing at Work.
He also collaborated in the musical development of the Broadway play Sarafina. Masekela, who in 2010 was honoured by South African President Jacob Zuma, has worked with many legends including Harry Belafonte, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davies and the late Miriam Makeba.
In 2002, the veteran artist won the International BBC Radio Jazz award, while in 2005 he bagged the Channel O music video lifetime Achievement award.
He has also provided interpretations of songs composed by Jorge Ben, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Dorothy Masuka and Fela Kuti.
Zimbabwe’s Oliver Mtukudzi, 62, started his music career in 1977 when he joined the Wagon Wheels, a band which also featured Thomas Mapfumo.
With his husky voice, Mtukudzi has become the most recognised voice from Zimbabwe on the international scene and he has earned a devoted following across Africa and beyond.
The multi-award winning musician also incorporates elements of different musical traditions, giving his music a distinctive style, known to his fans as Tuku music.
He has produced more than 30 albums, with hits such as Neria, Pindirai and Ninipa becoming anthems among his fans.
Mtukudzi has had a number of tours around the world in countries such as United Kingdom, USA and Canada to perform for large audiences.
Zonke Dikana, a South African afro soul award winner is credited for her album Life, Love and Music.
The 29 year old has breathed life into many songs over the years on albums by the likes of Mafikizolo, the late T.K, Thebe and house music guru Franck Roger.
Something that sets her apart from other artists is that her style of music has been predominantly laid back, on a soulful live vibe, with the feel of the well known acid jazz innovators.
Zonke lists the late South African singer Brenda Fassie among her repertoire of influence.
Local artists such as Maureen Lupo Lilanda, Mumba Yachi, Pompi and uncle Rex are also expected to make an appearance at the Stanbic Bank Misty jazz festival.
Entry tickets that have been pegged between K200 and K800 can be purchased from all Stanbic Bank branches and Mojo New Media.