I had the privilege of spending time in Hugh Masekela's company quite a few times. Not only was he a fine musician, but also a great gentleman. Hugh was once asked by a reporter just before playing at a large summer outdoor concert how it was that he was able to maintain such a consistently high level of performance at these concerts. He responded that he felt honored that the folks in the audience would come to hear/see him after working hard all day, and that they would arrange for baby sitters, etc. He felt the audience deserved his best every time. I never felt cheated at any of the several Masekela performances I was fortunate enough to attend. One of the great concerts was at SUNY Purchase, Purchase, NY. It took place around the time Nelson Mandela was being released from prison in South Africa. Performers for this concert were Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba. AND PERFORM THEY DID!!! TWO HOURS AND FORTY-FIVE MINUTES NON=STOP!!!
HUGH MASEKELA, lots of us will miss you a whole lot.
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