Abdulla Ibrahim & Ekaya in Tribute to the Jazz Epistles
CAP UCLA | 8 p.m., Royce Hall
Abdullah Ibrahim & Ekaya with Freddie Hendrix in the trumpet chair will present a concert program in tribute to South Africa’s first recorded jazz group The Jazz Epistles. The Jazz Epistles were South Africa’s first black jazz band and important contributors to modern jazz. Inspired by Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, the band came into existence after the Dollar Brand Trio from Cape Town combined talents with alto saxophone king Kippie Moeketsi from Johannesburg and his two protégés, trumpeter Hugh Masekela and trombonist Jonas Gwangwa. Dollar Brand would later be known as Abdullah Ibrahim and his Trio included Johnny Gertze on bass, and Early Mabuza or Makaya Ntshoko on drums.
New arrangements of The Jazz Epistles original compositions from their 1959 recording, Jazz Epistle, Verse 1, including “Blues for Huey,” “Scullery Department,” “Carols Drive,” “Vary – oo – Vum,” “Dollars Moods,” “Gafsa,” and “Uku Janga Phambili,” will be woven into a beautiful concert program with Abdullah Ibrahim’s classic catalogue.
More detailed information is available on the Center for the Art of Performance website.
This concert was originally announced with Hugh Masekela, a co-founder of the Jazz Epistles. The beloved South African artist and activist died on January 23 in Johannesburg, after a long battle with prostate cancer, at age 78. Trumpet player Freddie Hendrix, an alumnus of the Count Basie Orchestra, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and the Vanguard Orchestra, will assume the trumpet chair in his place. This tribute will also celebrate the late Hugh Masekela's pioneering spirit and musical genius. Masekela graced the stage at Royce Hall on numerous occasions, most recently on his 2012 Jabulani tour.
Event Date: Saturday, Mar. 3, 8 p.m.
Venue: Royce Hall
Price: $29–59*
*UCLA Students: $15, UCLA Faculty & Staff: $25
Royce Hall is located in North Campus off of Sunset Boulevard.
Parking is available in lots 2 & 4.
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