Masekela and Katumwa deliver powerful performance at jazz concert

By Steven Odeke

Everyone is familiar with Hugh Masekela’s “Market Place” song and they waited for it, they really waited for it and wanted to watch him perform it. So why Hugh Masekela never performed it at the “Jazz It With Airtel” concert Friday evening at Kampala Serena Hotel, will only be a secret he knows.

When he finished his performance, the crowd demanded for more from him, but he was done and was leaving the stage.

His was no trick like Billy Ocean to perform a popular song last after a revelers’ roaring encore, he was done. All the same, he and Isaiah Katumwa delivered an exceptional performance.

Katumwa was first on stage, clad in yellow and black pant. Clutching his soprano saxophone, he started off his performance with some of his new numbers like “Amaaso” and “Nakupenda.”

Of course, the crowds weren’t really familiar with the tunes but they were impeccable and intensely emotive as he shifted between using his soprano and alto saxophones.


Kenyan born Oscar award winning actress Lupita Nyong’o graced the event

Then he spared some time during his performance for his 12-year-old son Mitchel Katumwa to play. He is a kid with a promise and deserved a wild applause he received for his performance on piano.

Masekela joined Katumwa as he performed “Maama Africa” and the two would give their performance a balanced thread of substance and style on all the songs they did. The 76-year-old’s scat singing and slinky flugelhorn on his African-flavoured songs like “She Got,” “Khawuleza” “Mandela” and “Stimela” had everyone, including Oscar winning actress Lupita Nyong’o, revved up.


Local artists Bebe Cool(R), Iryn Namubiru(C) and Juliana Kanyomozi (L) enjoying the performance

The concert that ended at 11:00pm, sponsored by Airtel, Pepsi, International University of East Africa and others, also celebrated Katumwa’s 20-year-music career. After Masekela was done with his performance, Katuwma sealed off the night with the crowds’ favourite “My Joy.” 

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Related gallery

Isaiah Katumwa, Hugh Masekela jazz fete. ALL PHOTOS/Abu Mwesigwa