Hugh Masekela & Larry Willis: Friends at Yoshi's Oakland

The Hugh Masekela story is a long and exciting one: the two times Grammy awarded artist is Africa´s most important jazz and world musician. He has covered the globe and played with just about every top star you can think of. Hugh Masekela wrote a number of international hits and sold several million CDs. He even topped "Jumping Jack Flash" by the Rolling Stones with "Grazing in the Grass" in the US charts. Another very popular song of Hugh Masekela called "Bring Him Back Home" became the anthem for Nelson Mandala's world tour following his release from prison. Some of Hugh Masekela´s activities are a while ago ... but he is still making history:...

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The Hugh Masekela story is a long and exciting one: the two times Grammy awarded artist is Africa´s most important jazz and world musician. He has covered the globe and played with just about every top star you can think of. Hugh Masekela wrote a number of international hits and sold several million CDs. He even topped "Jumping Jack Flash" by the Rolling Stones with "Grazing in the Grass" in the US charts. Another very popular song of Hugh Masekela called "Bring Him Back Home" became the anthem for Nelson Mandala's world tour following his release from prison. Some of Hugh Masekela´s activities are a while ago ... but he is still making history:

In 2010 he opened both - the Kick off Concert and the opening ceremony of the World Cup in South Africa - a worldwide TV event. His touring schedule was massive and included major festivals and venues like the Carnegie Hall, NY and the Royal Festival Hall in London or the Mela Festival in Oslo, where he performed in front of 80 000 people.

Pianist Larry Willis has had an important and distinguished 40-year career in jazz. Since making his recording debut on Jackie McLean’s landmark 1965 album “Right Now!,” the New York-born Willis has played everything from free jazz to fusion to rock while performing as a valued sideman with such jazz titans as Dizzy Gillespie, Lee Morgan, Cannonball Adderley, Art Blakey and Woody Shaw.

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