Sipho Kunene &
W o z a M a s e k e l a
DETAILS
Woza Masekela is the New York based group comprised of seven musicians, most of whom have toured and recorded with South African jazz legend and political activist Hugh Masekela. Through his music it is our intent to carry on the legacy and spirit that is Bra Hugh Masekela. He made an indelible imprint on all of our lives. A teacher, mentor, friend and brother, he will always be with us, and with the world!
Woza Masekela
Woza Masekela
Sekunjalo
Sipho Kunene & Woza Masekela - "Polina"
Dolphin Jive
Sipho Kunene & Woza Masekela - "Khawuleza"
BOOKING
WHO WE ARE
Sipho Kunene (Drums/Leader) was born in Cape Town, South Africa and now calls New York City home. He has lent his drumming skills to a diverse assortment of musical situations over the course of his career.
Sipho spent many years with rising star keyboard phenom Matthew Whitaker’s Trio. The group has done many European tours as well as trips to Australia, Indonesia and Canada performing at various jazz clubs, concerts, and festivals. Some festivals performed are the Java Jazz Festival in Jakarta, Indonesia, the Montreal Jazz Festival, Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, Atlanta Jazz Festival and many others both domestically and internationally.
For one and a half years Sipho performed with the great South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, (formerly known as Dollar Brand), as a part of the Abdullah Ibrahim Trio. The group
toured globally on a regular basis performing at clubs,concerts and festivals. A live CD, “African Magic”, was recorded in Berlin, Germany for the Enja Record label. On occasion the trio's performance was embellished with orchestra to perform Ibrahim's "African Suite".
"African Suite" performances included accompaniment by the Orchestra National de Lyon in Lyon, France, the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra in South Africa, and the Verdi Chamber Orchestra in Milan, Italy, among others.
Sipho has also toured extensively with legendary South African trumpeter and pioneer Hugh Masekela doing concerts, clubs and jazz festivals both in the USA and abroad. Sipho can be heard on the title cut of the Hugh Masekela CD "Uptownship" on RCA Records.
He was also drummer for “Three Mo’ Tenors” for a two year block selling out 2,000-3,000 seat venues consistently on tour, from the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, and Wolf Trap in VA to Svetlanovsky Hall in Moscow. "Three Mo' Tenors in Concert" was taped in New York City for PBS Television’s “Great Performances” airing in all USA markets. Their self-titled CD was recorded on the BMG/RCA Victor record label live in New York.
Sipho worked with The Harlem Gospel Choir who after a tour of the Blue Note Jazz Clubs in Japan and a two week tour of Italy proceeded on to Malta where they were featured as special guests at “The Malta Music Awards” (broadcast on MTV Europe).
He’s also worked with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the amazing acapella group which was part of Paul Simon’s “Graceland” tour, Jennifer Holiday, Ben E. King, the landmark production “Black Stars of the Great White Way” presented at Carnegie Hall, the theatre productions “3 Mo Divas” (recorded live for PBS at the Denver Performing Arts Center.) and “Cookin’ at the Cookery”.
Sipho spent over five years with Harry Belafonte. Touring took the group to Japan, Africa, the Carribean, Canada and Europe many times over. A live concert video entitled "Global Carnival" was recorded at the "Children on the Front Line Music Festival" in Harare, Zimbabwe which aired on PBS. The group also did many television appearances around the world and in the US including "The Tonight Show". While Sipho was with Belafonte a CD was recorded live in Germany for the EMI Germany record label.
Richard Ainsworth Cummings (Keyboards/Musical Director) is the eldest of five musical sons. At the age of five years, he was given his first piano and music theory lessons by his grandmother, God rest her; MAUDE BASCOME CUMMINGS TAYLOR, renowned piano teacher and organist/choirmaster of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Brooklyn, N.Y.
After four years of lessons, he entered New York's Juilliard Preparatory School of Music where he studied piano for four years under the steadfast Russian pianist, Anna Shenderoff.
In addition to the study of western European classics, he also became well versed in the many other ethnic musical forms into which he found himself daily immersed. Before the end of his teenage years, his musical styles also reflected: Jazz of the 50's and 60's, Rhythm & Blues and Soul music, inspirational church choirs and the gripping rhythms of the Caribbean Islands, Cuba and South America.
In 1973, after majoring in piano and composition at the University of Detroit / Marygrove College he began his professional music career with various local groups, experimental
rehearsal bands and eclectic tribal orchestras in New York City and along the U.S. east coast.
Since then, his talents have been visited upon such luminous artists as: Noel Pointer, Jon Lucien, Harry Belafonte, Letta Mbulu, Dianne Reeves, Hugh Masekela, Wayne Shorter, Zubin Mehta, George C. Wolfe, Melvin Van Peebles and a host of other wonderful performers.
Thank You Grandma!
James Delano Zollar (Trumpet/Flugelhorn) began his musical career at age 9 playing bugle in his hometown, Kansas City Missouri. At 12, he graduated to the trumpet where he began to discover his musical voice and focus.
In 1984, he moved to New York City and played with the Cecil McBee Quintet for five years and then recorded with Tom Harrell, with Weldon Erving and Sam Rivers. Zollar was featured in Robert Altman’s motion picture “Kansas City”, in Madonna’s music video “My Baby’s Got a Secret”, as well as Malcolm Lee’s film “The Best Man”. He played on the sound track of “The Perez Family” and is proud to be included in The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz (Oxford University Press 1999.) James was also a featured soloist with Jon Faddis and Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra as well as Wynton Marsalis and The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.
He remains New York based where he stands out in a wide range of musical settings. Today, he’s playing with The Duke Ellington Orchestra, The Count Basie Orchestra, Don Byron’s Bands, The Marty Ehrlich Sextet, working with the Latin piano master Eddie Palmieri and Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga Live at Lincoln Center.
James released the CD "Zollar Systems" in 2010 and the newest CD “It’s All Good People” in 2013. They are getting great reviews and a lot of radio play.
Morris Goldberg (Alto Saxophone/Penny Whistle)
New York based composer, saxophonist, clarinetist, penny whistler and vocalist, Morris Goldberg recently completed recording his third album with his group, OJOYO, and wrote most of the original music. The OJOYO sound is Safrojazz, a combination of South African and American music. Mr. Goldberg grew up in Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa, and nurtured musical roots that span jazz, classical music, bebop and mbaqanga.
Well known to jazz lovers, Mr. Goldberg won popular acclaim through his featured performances on Paul Simon's "Graceland" album. He played the penny whistle solo on the hit song, "Yon Can Call Me AI". Goldberg performed with Hugh Masekela, among others, before leaving South Africa to broaden his musical horizons.
In the United States, he attended the Manhattan School of Music, where he received Bachelor and Master of Music degrees. He regularly recorded and performed with artists such as Miriam Makeba and Harry Belafonte. He also worked with Jonathan Butler and
exiled singer Letta Mbulu. In 1974 Mr. Goldberg returned to Cape Town and participated in Abdullah (Dollar Brand) Ibrahim's recording, "Mannenburg", on which he was featured. In 1991, Goldberg was featured in Hugh Masekela's spectacular homecoming tour, "Sekunjalo", a twenty date road show that featured Masekela, Bayete and Sankomoto.
From 1980 until 1988, Morris traveled and performed with Harry Belafonte. He appeared on three videos. The last one, "An Evening With Harry Belafonte And Friends", was done for PBS, and can still be seen on PBS stations throughout the country.
Goldberg attained nationwide acclaim as saxophonist and wind specialist on "The Rosie O'Donnell Show", for the six year duration of the television show, from 1996 until 2002. During that time he accompanied many artists such as Tony Bennett, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Phil Collins and more.
In March of 2005 Goldberg performed at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival with his band, "OJOYO". In 1993, 1994, 1998 and 1999, Goldberg returned to South Africa to perform at the Standard Bank Jazz Festival in Grahamstown.
In 2004 he did an extensive tour of the USA with Hugh Masekela, playing major jazz festivals, and culminating in the Playboy Jazz Festival, Los Angeles, which was recorded and aired on WBGO Newark, and WLIU Southampton. In 2005 Morris was interviewed by Judy Carmichael for her show. "Jazz Inspired”. This was aired on WLIU.
In October of 2010 Morris performed at Carnegie Hall with Hugh Masekela. This marked his third appearance with Hugh at this auspicious performance space in the last nine years.
In 2011 Morris performed with Randy Brecker, Jeff Golub, Ada Ruvatti, Anton Fig and others at the Sag Harbor American Music Festival. This group was billed as the "Super Band".
In March of 2012 he performed with the same band plus Lou Soloff (trumpet). This was part of the Long Island "Jazz on the Vine" Festival which takes place in February and March at various vineyards on the North Fork of Long Island.
In January 2015, Morris went to Glasgow, Scotland to perform at the Celtic Connections Festival. He was part of a fourteen piece band plus three back-up singers that performed the complete “Graceland” album to much acclaim.
In April of 2019 Morris’ band OJOYO, performed at the Mandela 100 celebration in Washington D.C. The band accompanied Sibongile Kumalo, Vusi Mahlasela, and Dave Mathews to a very appreciative audience.
Ayodele Maakheru (Guitar)
Studied at Brooklyn Conservatory of Music (guitar, trumpet, music theory and composition) and City College of New York.
Teacher for New York Pops, Council for Living Music, The Learning Tree, Huntington Arts Council, The Josephine Foundation, St. Mary’s HS Orchestra Director and The Midori Foundation. Teaching classes in guitar, mandolin, banjo, electric bass, ukulele, theory/composition, string ensemble, vocal music & instrument building.
Performed, toured & recorded with Lionel Hampton Big-Band, Randy Weston, Jaki Byard Apollo Stompers, Frank Wess, Tulivu Cumberbatch, Ray Holman, Ornette Coleman, Henry Threadgill and Rashid Ali. With performers Donna McKechnie, Eartha Kitt, Gregory Hines, Linda Hopkins, Ruth Brown, Whitney Houston, Phylicia Rashad, Melba Moore, Savion Glover, Leslie Uggams, Miriam Makeba, Nona Hendrix, The Fifth Dimension, The New York Philharmonic, The Queens Symphony and Unity of NY.
In the Broadway pits of HALLELUIAH BABY, The WIZ, A CHORUS LINE, ME & MY GIRL, WILD PARTY, BLACK & BLUE, JELLY‘S LAST JAM, THE FULL MONTY, HARLEM SONG, FROM MY HOMETOWN, BRING IN DA NOISE/BRING IN DA FUNK, The BOY‘S CHOIR of HARLEM, SHUFFLE ALONG, DON’T BOTHER ME-I CAN’T COPE & BELLA. Musical Director for BLACK ORPHEUS & SPUNK. Appeared with Maurice Peress/ Royal Palais Orchestra & The Clef Club, Gunther Schuller’s New England Ragtime Ensemble, the Urban Bush Women’s film & stage productions of PRAISE HOUSE and the tv orchestra for the ESSENCE AWARDS. Appeared on the tv shows GOTHAM, MADAME SECRETARY, BULL & Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno and in the films THE SINGING BIOLOGIST, EVERY DAY &THE LAST 5 YEARS. Banjoist/guitarist in the opera “Regina” (American Symphony Orchestra)
In the off-Broadway pits of GREASE, GODSPELL, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, ALADDIN, SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK, OKLAHOMA, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ, FAME, RAISIN, SEUSSICAL , THE LION KING, THE COLOR PURPLE & DREAM GIRLS
Bandleader for Quadrant, Ayo Maak‘s Jazz Pack, Windsong String Quartet. Released 3 CDs: SUNSHIP, DISTANT TRAVELER & ANOTHER COUNTRY. Bronx Art Council BRIO awardee (songwriter) and an ASCAP songwriter award.
Emanuel ‘Chulo’ Gatewood (Bass Guitar)
This talented musician has performed all over the world with some of the greatest musicians to grace the art form. His list of credits include none other than Mos Def, Miriam Makeba, Harry Belafonte, Savion Glover, Dianne Reeves, Regina Carter, Michael Franks, Lew Soloff, Jennifer Holiday, Pat Martino, Maxwell, Hugh Masekela, Mical Urbaniak, Eileen Ivers and Paul Schaffer.
Many of the artists Emanuel recorded with relied on his artistic strength for their international tours. He has toured with the accomplished Pat Martino, Jennifer Holiday, Diane Reeves, Harry Belafonte, Savion Glover, Miriam Makeba, Eileen Ivers, Michael Franks and Maxwell. Notably he has also recorded “Listen to your Heart” with Nepo, “Immigrant Soul” with Eileen Ivers, “Welea” with Miriam Makeba, “This is my Home” with Joel Harrison, and “Twisted Funky and Blue” with Tomothea.
Emanuel now lives in Brooklyn, New York but was born in Chicago, Illinois. He also lived in Boston, Massachusetts where he studied at the world renowned Berklee College of Music,
majoring in composition and performance. He was also the private student of renowned jazz pedagogue Charlie Banacos.
Chief Baba Neil Clarke (Percussion) is an internationally noted African percussionist. In the world of music, there are few American-born percussionists who have achieved the skill, mastery and universality in traditional African percussion in the manner that Chief Baba Neil Clarke has. Born in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn this award-winning musician is highly regarded for the world class stature he has attained. Having been involved with traditional African drumming and the percussive arts for more than half a century, he has made it his mission to continue the pioneering work of his trainers and mentors, giants like “Chief” James H. Bey, Ladji Camara, Julito Collazo, Baba Kwame Ishangi, and many more. It is noteworthy that those collective of pioneers played pivotal roles in the emergence of African cultural traditions in an essential way in North America in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. As a testament to his work, in 2016, Chief Clarke was honored with both a Jazz Impact Award from the Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium in NYC and a Chieftaincy title in Osogbo, Nigeria.
The majority of Clarke’s professional life has consisted of exploring the source, structure and foundations of the rhythmic dimensions of African culture in the Diaspora and
maintaining their presence in contemporary musical contexts. Most recently his artistry has been displayed in the “jazz idiom” for more than 25 years with the late NEA Jazz Master Randy Weston. Prior to that Chief Clarke toured globally for 15 years as primary percussionist with Mr. Harry Belafonte which began a long relationship with Letta Mbulu, and Miriam Makeba, among others. He has worked and recorded as well with Dianne Reeves, Reggie Workman, David Sanborn, Hugh Masekela, Phyllis Hyman, Arthur Prysock, Noel Pointer and many others. His artistry is featured on over 100 commercial and artistic recordings. Practicing his craft in this manner has taken him consistently to North, West, Central and South Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, the South Pacific, and most of the United States. As a scholar, Chief Clarke has been cited in numerous publications and his scholarly pursuits have afforded him several research fellowship awards between 2010 and 2019. As an Adjunct professor with the Music Department at CCNY since 2004, Chief Clarke conducts a popular course of his own design on Traditional African Percussion Ensemble performance and theory.
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