Apollo Theater Presents African Jazz Legend Hugh Masekela Concert On Friday, June 4

New York City, USA – As part of its Black Music Month programming, the Apollo
Theater Foundation, Inc. in association with the African Film Festival presents
a special event commemorating the 10th anniversary of freedom and democracy in
South Africa. Featuring a concert by the legendary father of the African jazz
movement, Hugh Masekela, the event entitled, Sounds of Freedom: From South
Africa to Harlem, will begin with a screening of the award-winning
documentary film, Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony, on Friday,
June 4 at 7:00 p.m.The evening will climax with a performance from Masekela featuring Ojoyo at
9:00 p.m. Tickets are $45 and $35. For tickets call 212-307-7171 or visit
www.ticketmaster.com/venue/6.
Tickets also can be purchased at the Apollo Theater box office (212-531-5303)
located at 253 West 125th Street, between Seventh and Eighth. The event is part
of the Apollo Legends Series which is exclusively sponsored by Washington
Mutual.

In 1961, Masekela went into exile in the United States, where Harry Belafonte
helped him settle as a student. Masekela, who is considered the father of
African jazz and South Africa’s musical ambassador to the world, uses his
trumpet as an instrument of resistance, a call to freedom, and a celebration of
the resilience of his people. His powerful blend of jazz, funk, and afro-beat
has mourned the tragedy of apartheid and rejoiced at its demise.

The documentary Amandla movingly examines the power of music and song
in inspiring the anti-apartheid movement and also includes interviews with
Masekela.

Prior to the screening and concert, the Apollo is also hosting a book-signing
reception for Masekela’s long-awaited autobiography, Still Grazing: The
Musical Journey of Hugh Masekela at 6:00 pm on the Apollo Theater
Soundstage. Masekela narrates a magical journey around the world in this epic,
music-soaked tale of love, excess, exile, and home. For further information
about the book reception, call 212-939-9727.

Since 1934, the world famous Apollo Theater, which received national, state
and city landmark status in 1983, has been the nation’s premier arena for
emerging and established black and Latino entertainers. Based in the heart of
Harlem, the world-famous venue has launched the careers of legends such as Ella
Fitzgerald, Michael Jackson and James Brown. One of New York City’s top tourist
attractions, its diverse programming includes major R&B and pop concerts such as
Annie Lennox and Lauryn Hill as well as prestigious dance performances from
companies such as the American Ballet Theater and Broadway-bound plays such as
“Harlem Song.” The neo-classical theater is in the midst of a multi-million
dollar exterior and interior restoration project and is managed by The Apollo
Theater Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation.

Concert Commemorates the 10th Anniversary of South African Democracy and Begins
with Screening of Anti-Apartheid Documentary, “Amandla! A Revolution in
Four-Part Harmony”

Meet Masekela at Book-Signing Reception at 6:00 PM

Buy Still Grazing: The
Musical Journey of Hugh Masekela