Performance About Heightened Global Awareness and Social Justice - Essay Example

The paper discusses a great place to be because of its luxury as a result of perfect world-class music playing.

            Masekela’s performance had a resounding message of heightened global awareness and social justice. This piece of the message was directed to the general community as it touched more on social movements that empower people. His music laid the message to different states to consider social justice before indulging in atrocities that endanger their citizens and neighboring countries. The musician's presence indicated their will to entertain while at the same time passing information that is embedded in their lyrics. The audiences too were present to get entertained and get involved as the music progressed. The musicians were professionals who were paid at the end of the concert for their services. The audience came to this event because it was an organized function that was to attract clients who love music. The event was scheduled to occur on Tuesday, March 25, 2014, at 7:30 pm at SFJAZZ center. Guests were to pay $ 30 in advance or $ 35 at the door (“SFJAZZ” 1).

            Masekela’s music can be associated with the events that occurred in South Africa due to apartheid. At the age of 14 years, he learned to play the trumpet that he was given by Archbishop Huddleston. He, together with some youths who got interested in playing the instruments formed a band known as the Huddleston Jazz Band. His music had the experiences that they exhibited due to slavery and apartheid. Most people were touched by them because they underwent similar problems. Masekela's music traverses different races and gender. He has audiences ranging from children aged 10 years to old men of different ages. All kinds of people come to see him perform (Masekela 1).

            Masekela’s music band consists of him as a vocalist and a flugelhorn. Cameron, John plays the guitar while Randal Skippers plays the keyboard. Abednigo Sibongiseni plays Zulu bass while Francis Manneh and Edward Fuster play percussion. Drums were played by Lee-Roy, who at times shifted to playing the guitar (“SFSTATION 1).

            His vocal singing provides a major focus in the song as the audience listens to the lyrics. The flugelhorn provided a sense of soprano and alto in his music as it matches well with the slow movement of the soloist. The guitar was used as a rhythm instrument in some of his songs while in others it was used as a lead instrument. This was evident in the song ‘Playing at Work’ which features in an album he released in 2013. The pianos gave an acoustic sound that lifted the pitch of the songs ending up producing good sounds. The Zulu bass, percussion, and drums constituted what are known as Zulu instruments.

            Each of the musicians contributed to the live songs that were sung. Some of them played the musical instruments while others were backup singers to the soloist. The vocalist was Masekela, who led through the songs the whole time. The communication method that they widely used was gestures. They used some form of signs to communicate with each other without necessarily interfering with the flow of music. At times during breaks within the song being sung, one person would move to the other to pass on some information. The backup singers made some formal movements which resulted in fine dancing that corresponded well with the musical instruments.

I came to realize that good music is good for the ears. No music belongs to a group of people: anyone can like what he feels is best for him or herself. Apart from the musical instruments, the lyrics also play a role in what is deemed good music. A few questions though bothered me, how did he come to combine different genres of music to form one type of music? What triggered other races to his music while some did not even understand what he sang? At his advanced age, what still keeps him moving? In essence, I liked the layout of the events that took place in the two days. The selection of the venue was a good idea as it gave opportunity to everyone who wanted to witness the concert.