Hugh Masekela

The show was fantastic, my seat was in a great location. The only problem was the performance was not long enough. Hugh Masekela has so many excellent "jams". It was just under 2 hours. But it was still a good show!

5 Stars. I want to see again. Please Let's do it again.

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.

Unforgettable, mesmerizing, eclectic, and truly amazing it s an experience you ll not want to miss. He s assembled a group of really talented musicians from SA and they will deliver a performance mix that will leave you spellbound. I ve never done a review of a performance before; so take that into account. But I found the very positive reviews of others very helpful in deciding to see Hugh Masakela s performance at UCLA and very glad I did. Hope you do the same and enjoy.

Every member of the band (two keyboards, bass, guitar, drums, Hugh Masekela's trumpet together with a host of other hand held percussion instruments which he played) was exrraordinary. He still has great vocal range and dances and moves like a much younger man. Thoroughly enjoyable!!!!

Excellent show! A must see! Before this event, I never heard or saw Mr. Masekela in concert. I truly enjoyed his energy, singing, and dancing.

One of the best shows I have seen in many years. Incredible music and a narrative that was funny and wise. PLEASE SEE THIS PERFORMER- you will thank me

This show was absolutely incredible. Mr. Masekela's talents go beyond his music and his voice to bring alive the struggles of a people and a continent. His songs are inspirational and uplifting even as they describe deplorable brutality and opression but always they bring us back to the triumph of the human spirit.

Great talent, surrounded by great young talent. UCLAs Royce Hall was the perfect place with a relaxed atmosphere with good seats and sound.

Wonderful! High Energy Show...really engages the audience

Hugh Masekela was as vibrant and exciting as ever! He is the true ambassador of African music to the Americas. Old or new, his songs resignated the variety, struggle, beauty, and exhuberance of Africa, Masekela blew his horn with power and strength, and his voice echoed the lyrics of his native tongue with clarity. The crowd roared when he began to dance, as many jumped up from their seats and stared to jirate with him! Well over 70, Masekela still has the moves! I fist saw Hugh Masekela in 1965 at my high school, and the same joy and excitement that I had experienced that spring evening was shared Friday night at Royce Hall. This concert was fantastic; a night of musical bliss!

The man at age 70 has more vitality thatn some younger musicians! He never stopped or took a break durring the 2+ hr. show he and his fellow musicians put on for everyone! His singing and horn manipulation was clear, exuberant and full of life! Great showmanship and talent throughout his group of talented individuals! Take someone young to see this show so they can experience such mature talent! FTW

Truly a legend and amazing performer. His band is world class. At the end of the shoe the audience rose to its feet and clapped for 10 full minutes chanting more, more more..till he came back on and sang two songs including "Bring Back Nelson Mandela"...AMAZING!!

Hugh Masekela is a combination of a superbly talented, professional and an amazing human being. He connects with his audience with both his music and his words. He met the Boston audience on their terms and took us to his world of experinece with the tumutuos changes in South Africa. He and his group of young musicians played a nearly perfect set with esquisite time and rhythm. His 22-year old guitarist plays as a seasoned professional. The nearly 71 year old Masekela is in constant motion, fully engaged in every moment of the evening.

hugh masekela is a talented performer. his connection with the audience and his humor and talent all combine to make a wonderful performance. his band are a bunch of supremely talented musicians and the music is crisp and delightful. loved it

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!

Masakela is one of the world's few Titans of entertainment---he turns a musical concert into an epic evening of theater and a concert hall visit into a trip around the world!

It was inspiring to see a "young" man of 75 years perform as though he was 35. It was a wonderful show.

Hugh is a marvelous performer/entertainer. His band was great, as were the musical selections. My only complaint regarding the show is it was simply too short. Also, nothing in the theatre was open to service partrons of the show. My husband and I hoped to have a drink before the show, but the usual set-up was not present. No refreshments and too little Hugh sums up this review.

Fabulous!!! I wish I hope I have his energy when I turn 75. The music was ranged from high energy to soulful. Wonderful concert.

Hugh is the ultimate entertainer who always gives more than you bargained for!

An Absolutely AWESOME experience! Would love to see him again as well as similar international and local artists!

THe show was Fabulous, but the diner was so so, may be it was my choice

You can never ever go wrong with bra Hugh. top notch performance. lets not forget the band, they are truly "playing at work"

Hugh put on an enjoyable show at the Birchmere on Wednesday night. Show lasted two hours but a good chunk was him talking & telling jokes. He was quite animated. Pretty good chunk of the setlist was from the "Hope" live recording which I really like. I had hoped the band was going to pack more punch than they did. They only revved up one or twice and that was for short stretches. There was no Soweto Jive in this show. Hugh's playing was good, but his primary role was as a signer. Good show, but had hoped for more.

Hearing his music live brought tears to my friends eyes. After hearing his songs and enjoying them for years, actually seeing the man perform was more, much more than amazing. A great night!

I enjoyed every second. That man is amazing and gave us an awesome performance. Just wish that the people in front of me weren't trying to record the whole concert and that Birchmere Staff would walk around to enforce the no camera rule because Hugh Masekela even gave her a gesture to quit recording him. Other than that...I loved the show and would definitely recommend anyone who enjoys real music to go see him. The Birchmere is nice and has good food.

One of the best performers we've ever seen. Amazing talent and still has incredible dance moves at 75. Don't miss the opportunity to see a real living legend.

Great performance! Go Hugh Masekela!!!!!! Would recommend this. Can't wait for another event similar to this one.

The concert was amazing. Mr. Masekela had the audience involved and we loved it. He is so talented and loves his craft.

Best overall performance I have attended at the Carolina. Masekela excites and pleases and teases and tickles to the delight of the audience. Along with the group he has such sophisticated chemistry that they close the generation, gender, and cultural cracks too. Youthful and energetic . POO POO on those that missed this legend. Their loss!

I have seen Hugh Masekela perform several times. The way he combines his South African musical heritage with jazz is just amazing and wonderful. It was a truly special event

A great versatile trumpet player, who also sings, dances and has an amazing vocal range that includes the sounds of his native South Africa. The band was tight and theguitarplayer, who looked to be about 18 years old, was genius.

unbelievable energy - at 73 he was hopping around the stage like a teenager, taking the audience with him through an amazing show. loved every minute of this high-energy, incredible show.

I haven't seen him in 20 years! It was AWESOME to see him and his band is also AWESOME! I love that he has young up coming musician - PERFECT!! When will you have him back @UCLA - THANKS

When I saw this artist 5 years ago, the event was wonderful - lots of traditional African rhythms, beautiful musicality. I knew from the first piece, this time, that it was a different approach - screechy, improvisational jazz, unmusical, and where was the wonderful trumpet of the former artist? This time, he continually missed notes, and didn't appear at the top of his form. Also, although there were children in the audience, he was crude. Much cursing. Additionally, he spoke WAY too much; the last piece before intermission was preceded by 10-15 minutes of his speech-making. While I applaud his human rights stance, this was not what I paid for...I was vastly disappointed, and left at the intermission.

After all these years, Hugh still has it musically (trumpet), vocally and physically (his dancing)!!