a laughing heart does not age.  that became clear to me when talking with 71-year old Hugh Masekela at last week’s Live & Outspoken Series produced by 651 Arts.  on tuesday, may 11th, i had the opportunity to share the stage with legendary South African musician in both conversation and performance.  i remember seeing Uncle Hugh live for the first time in 2000 at s.o.b.’s in lower manhattan.  it was a birthday gift from some close friends and i was elated.  i also remember having to run off to rehearsal for a reggae band i was then singing backup for before getting a chance to meet him after the show.  chance would have it that Uncle Hugh and i would finally meet in august 2005.  it was just after his live concert at prospect park when another good friend convinced me that we should stick around to give him my then demo recording of red soil in my eyes.  i did.  he was kind and disarming.  he also promised to listen to the music and 5 months later i got an email from his office.

hugh masekela has since become not only a mentor but an uncle.  he is still very kind, incredibly generous, and ALWAYS makes me laugh.  i laughed so hard on stage last week my face hurt and i kept thinking “how am i going to sing properly after this??” but having a grand time nonetheless.   when i reflect on our performance, i can’t help but remember that first night i saw him live and how he poured his heart into the aisles of a dancing audience.  thank you, thank you, thank you, Uncle Hugh, for your beautiful, generous, ageless laughing heart.

somi

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