Hugh Masekela, Barbican Centre

Backed by a full band, the great South African flugelhorn player Hugh Masekela celebrates his 75th birthday with an appearance at the Barbican, performing highlights from his illustrious career. 

Lauded for his work as an anti-apartheid campaigner and musical pioneer who brought the rhythms of the South African townships to a global audience, Masekela’s powers seem to have diminished little with age. His flugel sound is as warm and rich as it was back in 1968 when he released the chart-topping Grazing in the Grass , his phrases every bit as balletic, ringing with joyous staccato.

Equally captivating are his vocals which come to the fore on tunes such as Stimela over which he hisses and wails like the steam train of the title, sinking into deep, guttural exclamations, heavy with the sorrows of South Africa’s migrant workers.

Just as he was on the occasion of his last visit to the capital, a performance at the 2013 London Jazz festival with his friend and long-time collaborator Larry Willis, the South African great finds himself in good company here. Of particular note is young guitarist Cameron John Ward whose considered backings have won widespread praise from the critics, anchoring and embellishing Masekela’s flights of soloistic virtuosity.  

A performer in the true sense of the word, Masekela is sure to pull out all the stops for his 75th. While his gigs always come highly recommended, this career retrospective will be something special.