Hugh Masekela to perform at Dubai Opera in December

The South African trumpeter and composer will take the stage at Dubai Opera on the back of his new album No Borders

Hugh Masekela will perform at Dubai Opera in December.
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One of South Africa’s greatest ever musicians is coming to the UAE. The trumpeter and composer Hugh Masekela will bring his brand of Afro Jazz to Dubai Opera for a one-off performance on December 11. Tickets go on sale from midday on July 13.

The 83-year-old is one of the rare group of surviving musicians who has performed with some of the jazz-world most esteemed names.

After arriving in New York in 1960 at the age of 21, Masekela enrolled at the Manhattan School of Music and the New York music scene where he developed his technique under the guidance of the late Dizzy Gillespie and Louis Armstrong.

Masekela also performed alongside some of rock’s greatest artists; as part of the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival he shared the stage with the likes of Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix and The Who.

The inspiration rubbed off on him as the following year he released Grazin' in the Grass, the single and jazz classic topped the American pop charts and established Masekela's international reputation.

Masekela also uses his talent when it comes to his human rights advocacy.

His stirring 1987 anti-apartheid anthem, Bring Him Back Home (Nelson Mandela), was banned in South Africa upon release and aided in shedding light on the plight of his homeland to an international audience.

With over 30 albums released spanning seven decades, Masekela continues to tour and record. His latest collection, No Borders, was released last year featuring a guest slot by fellow South African music legend, the guitarist Themba Mokoena.

Tickets begin from Dh195 from www.dubaiopera.com