Hugh Masekela to open Harare Jazz Festival

LEGENDARY South African jazz crooner, Hugh Masekela, is set to fuse colour with decency when he serenades jazz lovers at the third edition of the Harare International Jazz Festival. This year's edition runs from April 15 until April 17. Although organisers could not categorically confirm, reporters are reliably informed that Bra Hugh (as Masekela is fondly known in his homeland), was invited to grace this mammoth festival.
When contacted for comment, the festival's founder and artistic director Samson Mataure referred this paper to the communications officer Munyaradzi Simango who hinted on Bra Hugh's participation. "Well, at this point I can't confirm or tell you the list of international artistes that are coming.
"We are still in the process of clearing them with statutory bodies and we will let you know as soon as we have cleared them," said Simango. This year's festival was partnered with Savannah Tobacco and sources close to the organisers' camp told H-Metro that the event will be graced by jazz stars from Italy and Malawi.
This is not surprising since the festival has previously managed to attract regional and internationally acclaimed jazz musicians like Lady Smith, Black Mambazo , Sibongile Khumalo , senior superstar Oliver Mtukudzi, The Cool Crooners, Silvia Manco Quartet from Italy and Ringo Madhlingozi.
Bringing Bra Hugh to Zimbabwe will be a scoup for HIFA. The singer once did a song called Everything must change which is on his CD tittled Time, asks Robert Mugabe, don't you think it's time to say goodbye?
The song goes like…
Everything must change, nothing is for everWhat is it that makes a person want to stay in power for ever?What is the reason why a man wants to force his will upon the land?Everything must change, nothing is for ever
Jonas Savimbi, don't you think you should get away from here?Charlie Taylor, don't you think you should get away from here?Arup Moi, when are you going to say goodbye?Robert Mugabe, don't you think it's time to say goodbye?
Mandela he showed us the wayNyerere he finally went awayMasire he also called it a dayChiluba the people chased him awayWhen will the others say goodbye?Everything must change, nothing is for everEverything must change, nothing is for ever