Hugh Masekela returns for English and Welsh concert dates in May and June playing in duo with pianist Larry Willis.

Willis, known for his work with Jackie McLean and with Blood Sweat & Tears, is a firm presence beside the South African jazz idol as Masekela sings and vocalises a good deal besides playing flugel adding percussion and banging a tambourine against his chest or sometimes switching to make extravagant dance movements and even occasionally getting down low or making extra little sign-off whoops and hollers. A croon easily enough becomes a yell of excitement. Expect ‘Stimela’ with its goosebumps-inducing introduction at these shows... “There is a train that comes from Namibia and Malawi, there is a train that comes from Zambia and Zimbabwe,” the song of harsh labour and exploitation unfolding among train noises and all the theatricality and song delivery skills at Masekela’s considerable disposal a factor. His signature hit ‘Grazing in the Grass’ too he often plays and is always a pleasure to hear, Willis hypnotic in the marabi-style vamp.

Dates are Howard Assembly Room, Leeds (28 May), Saffron Hall, Saffron Walden (29 May), Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry (6 June) and New Theatre,Cardiff (7 June)