Town Hall and Le Poisson Rouge present The Jazz Epistles

PERFORMING TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 56 YEARS, THIS TRIUMPHANT PROJECT MAKES ITS NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT AT TOWN HALL ON SOUTH AFRICAN FREEDOM DAY, APRIL 27, 2017

New York, NY (February 23, 2017) – Town Hall and (Le) Poisson Rouge are proud to present the Jazz Epistles, featuring Abdullah Ibrahim and Hugh Masekela live in New York City for the first time on South African Freedom Day, April 27th. Half a century after recording South Africa’s landmark jazz album, Jazz Epistle, Verse 1, these original bebop legends reunite for a rare performance at Town Hall at 123 W 43^rd Street.

The Jazz Epistles album is the “Holy Grail” recording in South African jazz history, yet the world was not aware of its pivotal importance, until now.

In 1959, South Africa’s top musicians­­­ —Hugh Masekela on trumpet, Abdullah Ibrahim on piano, Jonas Gwangwa on trombone, Kippie Moeketsi on alto saxophone, Johnny Gertze on bass, and Makaya Ntshoko on drums — created “the first all-black modern South African jazz recording.” (Gwen Ansell, author of Soweto Blues). It was revolutionary for the time period, yet its modern sounds and controversial nature made it a commercial flop — only 500 LPs were originally printed. The apartheid government, which viewed jazz as an inherent threat to authority, forced its brilliant musicians into exile. Thus, the Jazz Epistles disbanded and the music was buried and almost lost. For decades, due to the hostile circumstances of the time period, very little of this rich cultural history has been documented.

Remarkably, Ibrahim and Masekela achieved massive success on their own terms overseas in exile. Ibrahim settled in Europe and Masekela in the States. They became symbols of the Pan-African movement, each writing popular anti-apartheid freedom songs and creating formidable discographies.

Now, half a century later, these two giants reunite for the first time in concert. They not only revisit a critical chapter from their youth, but also pay tribute to one of the most important jazz sessions to occur on South African soil.

This unique performance will be captured by WBGO for Jazz Night in America, carried on NPR stations nationwide, and The Checkout hosted by Simon Rentner.

This concert is produced by The Town Hall and (Le) Poisson Rouge, in partnership with WBGO, South African Tourism, and South African Airways.

Tickets for this event are from $37 to $127 (VIP, includes reception with the artists) and are available for sale via The Town Hall or (Le) Poisson Rouge box offices. Please visit TheTownHall.org or LPR.com for additional information.

Lineup:

Abdullah Ibrahim – piano
Hugh Masekela – flugelhorn, trumpet, vocals
Noah Jackson – bass, cello
Will Terrill – drums
Cleave Guyton Jr. – alto saxophone, flute, clarinet, piccolo
Lance Bryant– tenor saxophone
Andrae Murchison – trombone, trumpet
Marshall McDonald – baritone saxophone

Praise for the Jazz Epistles:

“South Africa’s Mozart.” – Nelson Mandela about Abdullah Ibrahim

“Hugh Masekela is still one of the most thrilling live performers around.” – Rolling Stone

“This story hasn’t been written yet. It’s a hidden history and it’s waiting to be told.”
– Sazi Dlamini, ethnomusicologist, University of KwaZulu-Natal

“At a time when apartheid itself was very backward looking, you had a collection of black musicians who were saying very defiantly: We are here, we are modern-city people, there is no way you are going to exclude us from modern life. And that is the beautiful undertone in that music.” Gwen Ansell, author, Soweto Blues—Jazz, Popular Music & Politics in South Africa

Event Details:

The Jazz Epistles Featuring Abdullah Ibrahim & Ekaya and Hugh Masekela
Presented by Town Hall and LPR

Thursday, April 27, 2017 | 7:30pm doors | 8pm show | $37 – $127
Tickets available from Ticketmaster