REVIEW: Hugh Masekela, Larry Willis are ‘Friends’ at Jazz Standard concert

NEW YORK — Hugh Masekela, the internationally renowned jazz trumpeter and flugelhornist from South Africa, and longtime friend Larry Willis, an important composer and legendary jazz pianist, have joined forces several times over their 55-year friendship, dating back to their days at the Manhattan School of Music. They are now touring again as “Best of Friends,” a celebration of jazz classics and their individual and collective music together. Recently, they played a sold-out gig at New York City’s Jazz Standard, offering the audience stories from their days traveling the Big Apple to see, hear and sometimes play with the likes of Miles Davis, Sarah Vaughn, Dizzy Gillepsie and Thelonius Monk, among many others. Along the way, the two performers are playing several expertly realized songs from the great jazz songbook.

The concert was something special.

Willis, the quieter of the two performers, sat stage right, matching his piano skills with Masekela’s irrepressible wit, charm and musicianship. They began with an instrumental that quieted the crowd, set the mood and showcased their individual talents. Willis is a naturally gifted pianist, someone who dances his fingers across the keys in a simultaneous sense of discovery and precision. Masekela, using a flugelhorn and some percussion instruments throughout the show, coupled his unmistakable vocal power with powerful blowing on the forceful horn. Taken together, Willis and Masekela displayed a lot more than mere friendship; they were comfortable, exploratory and having fun with the varied setlist.

Following the opening instrumental, Masekela, somewhat surprisingly, entered into one of his most enduring classics, “Stimela,” or “Coal Train,” a spoken-word piece that tells the infamous journey of the coal trains that head for Johannesburg. The song is a 10-minute recitation of so much hurt, anger and reality. Masekela, through the lyrics, gathered the men from the southern African nations onto the coal train and headed for the depraved conditions of their daily struggle, from flea-ridden barracks to terrible dining choices. He eventually broke the song into a cry of energy, and Willis followed suit on the piano. The resulting emotion was overwhelming and fitting given the topical description. Throughout the piece, Masekela, like he always does, reimagined the whistles and chugging of the coal train, bringing them together into a dizzying array of sounds and grunts.

Another selection during the 80-minute set included Louis Armstrong’s “When It’s Sleepy Time Down South.” Willis offered his simple, solemn playing of the jazz standard. Masekela’s vocals were sullen and almost romantic. Their duet rivaled some of the great renditions of the classic tune. “Until the Real Thing Comes” was also a highlight. Masekela’s “Grazing in the Grass” was noticeably absent, but there was enough gold in the air not to be bothered.

Each song was preceded by some storytelling from Masekela. Some of the best tales included memories from the 1960s when they were both students, without much money, who had the ambition to see the jazz greats in the many downtown clubs at the time. So many names were dropped it was easy to lose count. Masekela, a pioneer of the Afro-jazz sound, and Willis, one of the most solid interpreters of the piano, came of age musically during a highly important and culturally significant time period, and their graciousness and generosity to these influences was evident.

For an evening of songs and memories, this “Best of Friends” concert tour, which continues around the United States through December, is a rare chance to see two greats having fun and playing music. What more can someone ask for?

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• Hugh Masekela and Larry Willis will soon visit New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania and California, among other states. Click here for more information.