Two South African Music Legends Unite for Flushing Concert

In many ways, he’s the Louis Armstrong of South Africa. And just like Satchmo, he makes beautiful music in Queens. Hugh Masekela is a world-renowned trumpeter, bandleader, composer and singer who was also very involved in defying Apartheid in his home country. His career has spanned five decades during which he has released more than 40 albums.

Vusi Mahlasela is known as ‘The Voice” in South Africa. With poetic, optimistic lyrics, his songs of hope connect the Apartheid-scarred past with a promise for a better future. He even performed at Nelson Mandela’s presidential inauguration in 1994.

Masekela and Mahlasela are now touring together for the first time ever, and they will make a stop in Queens next week. More details and a photo follow.

The musicians will present 20 Years of Freedom: Hugh Masekela and Vusi Mahlasela at LeFrak Concert Hall on February 18th at 7:30 p.m. In collaboration with a band, they will sing a repertoire full of freedom songs, including many that they wrote.

This concert is a part of the Year of South Africa at Queens College, where LeFrak is located. Each academic year, the Flushing school chooses a country and presents various events to explore its history, art, literature, dance, film and ethnicity. Masekela and Mahlasela will also participate in a panel discussion on campus on February 18th at 12:15 PM. They will expound on the effects that their home country’s political climate has had on their music and how music can raise social and political awareness.

Details: 20 Years of Freedom: Hugh Masekela and Vusi Mahlasela, LeFrak Concert Hall, Queens College, 65-30 Kissena Boulevard, Flushing, February 18th, 7:30 pm, $35-$55.

Top photo: Kupferberg Center for the Arts; bottom photo: Vusi Mahlasela