Dates for Hugh Masekela and Larry Willis’ autumn tour, and the support artist for the performances, have been announced by promoter Serious. The South African jazz trumpet icon, a popular fixture on the UK jazz touring circuit for many years, teams for this November tour with US pianist Larry Willis known for his work with alto great Jackie McLean (Right Now!) and playing keyboards with jazz-rock heavyweights Blood, Sweat & Tears in the Jerry Fisher years. The concert planned for the QEH in London has been upgraded to the larger Royal Festival Hall next door. Last year the pair released the box set Friends recorded in South Africa on the House of Masekela label, made up largely of duets. Masekela and Willis go way back to their music college days in New York in the 1960s. Dates are Turner Sims, Southampton (5 November); St John the Evangelist church, Oxford (10 November); Lakeside, Nottingham (11 November); RNCM, Manchester (13 November); St George’s, Bristol (14 November); London Jazz Festival, Royal Festival Hall, London (15 November); and Town Hall, Birmingham (16 November). Performance poet Zena Edwards provides support, premiering a new work commissioned by the PRS For Music Foundation’s Women Make Music fund.
Hugh Masekela above left and Larry Willis