A rare chance to see the two jazz innovators reunite, combining Masekela's exuberant horns with Willis's elegant pianos solos.

Larry Willis and Hugh Masekela met whilst studying at Manhattan School of Music in the 1960s. The artistic freedom they experienced in New York, inspired their music making and their activism as Masekela became a leading figure in the fight against apartheid in his home country.

Masekela's music has a distinctly African, more relaxed feel, whether on his political pop or experimental jazz; Willis's is ambitious, frantic free jazz, inextricably linked to New York.

'Damn, do they swing!' - Rolling Stone

We've just announced that Vula – the voice of Basement Jaxx - will play a special opening set. Hailing from Hackney, the singer and songwriter has lent her talents to the likes of Adele, Dizzee Rascal, Laura Mvula and Sam Smith, to name but a few, and took part in the EFG London Jazz Festival opening gala, Jazz Voice, last year.

'Mixed searing neo-soul proclamations with graceful jazzlike variations, she made the classic R&B ballad Brand New sound exactly that' - The Guardian

Your Ticket to… 2020 (in 20+1 Albums)

Hard to believe that such a dire and dramatic year could inspire such an abundance of remarkable albums. Or maybe, on the contrary, the multitude of emotions sparked by the pandemic and our new life’s circumstances might have been the main reasons why musicians were able to write, record and…

Artists: AKKAN , Al Breadwinner , Bab L’Bluz , Chouk Bwa , Clap! Clap! , Derek Gripper , DUMA , Hugh Masekela , Khruangbin , Let Drum Beat , Nat Birchall , ONIPA , Santrofi , Son Rompe Pera , Songhoy Blues , Spoek Mathambo , The Ångströmers , The Sorcerers , Thundercat , Tony Alln

Album Review: Tony Allen & Hugh Masekela – Rejoice [World Circuit Records; March 2020]

With the very recent passing of Tony Allen, this set of recordings has special significance. He and South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela had been planning on making a record together for years and in 2010 this finally was about to become a reality. Producer Nick Gold got the two titans…

Artists: Hugh Masekela , Tony Allen