Masauko Chipembere Jr
Encyclopedia
Masauko Chipembere is a Malawian Jazz musician. Chipembere was born in Malawi and was raised in Los Angeles while his parents were in political exile. He is the son of political nationalists Henry Masauko Blasius Chipembere
and Catherine Chipembere
. Masauko has lived in South Africa and Malawi and currently lives in Brooklyn, New York and performs all over the country.He frequently performs at fundraisers for non-profit organisations helping Southern Africans with AIDS in the DC metro area.
After he moved back to Malawi with his mother, he decided to pursue his music interests. He had heard that South Africa was a hub for Jazz music, so he traveled by bus through Zimbabwe and Mozambique to South Africa. Masauko made his first album with the help of Russell Pope and South African musician Neo Muyanga. They blended their music to form the group "Blk Sonshine" to form a duo that fuses hip hop, jazz and folk with Southern African traditions.
, Ishamel Lo, Cesaria Evora, Take 6, Talib Kweli
, Black Thought (The Roots), Stanley Jordan, Hugh Masekela
and even had the honor of meeting and has sang for his idol Miriam Makeba
.
They also held a tribute concert to Archbishop Desmond Tutu
in 1998 that featured Stevie Wonder. The musical duo now live separately but they continue their collaboration while pursuing solo projects.
Their follow-up album was released in 2009 and entitled "Good Life". It was recorded in Johannesburg, Cape Town, New York and Los Angeles since the duo live in separate countries.
They continue to collaborate on music. They recently reunited for a performance in South Africa as part of a series of World Cup pre-concerts. The band have also recently recorded two tracks with Wu-Tang
’s RZA for an upcoming “TEKITHA” album.
Henry Masauko Blasius Chipembere
Henry Masauko Blasius Chipembere was a Malawian nationalist who played a significant role in bringing independence from colonial rule to his native country, formerly known as Nyasaland...
and Catherine Chipembere
Catherine Chipembere
Catherine Mary Ajizinga Chipembere is a Malawian gender activist and politician. She was born in 1935 in Malawi.She is the wife of Malawian nationalist Henry Masauko Chipembere and the mother of internationally known Jazz artist Masauko Chipembere Jr...
. Masauko has lived in South Africa and Malawi and currently lives in Brooklyn, New York and performs all over the country.He frequently performs at fundraisers for non-profit organisations helping Southern Africans with AIDS in the DC metro area.
Music career
Chipembere began singing at the age of seven with a barbershop quartet in grade school. Masauko went on to study Jazz and Opera at Cal State University Northridge in 1988. It was there that he got his first real exposure to jazz and developed a deep love for the art of improvisation. His songs often include improvisational jazz scatting and rapping.After he moved back to Malawi with his mother, he decided to pursue his music interests. He had heard that South Africa was a hub for Jazz music, so he traveled by bus through Zimbabwe and Mozambique to South Africa. Masauko made his first album with the help of Russell Pope and South African musician Neo Muyanga. They blended their music to form the group "Blk Sonshine" to form a duo that fuses hip hop, jazz and folk with Southern African traditions.
Blk Sonshine
His first Jazz album Blk Sonshine (Black Sonshine) was released in 1998 in California. This album picked up by Fresh records and BMG music and was a success in South Africa. The album remained in the South African top 20 for 20 weeks, reaching position number 6 on the charts. The first single from the album, "Building" went to #1 on South African radio in 2001. He has been able to perform with Mary J. BligeMary J. Blige
Mary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
, Ishamel Lo, Cesaria Evora, Take 6, Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli Greene , better known as Talib Kweli, is an American hip-hop artist and poet from Brooklyn, New York. His first name in Arabic means "student" or "seeker" ; his in Swahili means "true"...
, Black Thought (The Roots), Stanley Jordan, Hugh Masekela
Hugh Masekela
Hugh Ramopolo Masekela is a South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer, and singer.-Early life:Masekela was born in Kwa-Guqa Township, Witbank, South Africa. He began singing and playing piano as a child...
and even had the honor of meeting and has sang for his idol Miriam Makeba
Miriam Makeba
Miriam Makeba , nicknamed Mama Africa, was a Grammy Award winning South African singer and civil rights activist....
.
They also held a tribute concert to Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Desmond Tutu
Desmond Mpilo Tutu is a South African activist and retired Anglican bishop who rose to worldwide fame during the 1980s as an opponent of apartheid...
in 1998 that featured Stevie Wonder. The musical duo now live separately but they continue their collaboration while pursuing solo projects.
Their follow-up album was released in 2009 and entitled "Good Life". It was recorded in Johannesburg, Cape Town, New York and Los Angeles since the duo live in separate countries.
They continue to collaborate on music. They recently reunited for a performance in South Africa as part of a series of World Cup pre-concerts. The band have also recently recorded two tracks with Wu-Tang
Wu-Tang
Wu-Tang or Wudang may refer to:*Wudang Mountains or Wu-Tang Mountains, a mountain range in central China*Wudangquan or Wu-Tang quan, a form of Chinese martial arts*Wudang District, a district in Guiyang, Guizhou, China...
’s RZA for an upcoming “TEKITHA” album.
Music
- Blk Sonshine - 1998, highest position: 20 weeks on Top 20, highest position was 6 on charts.
- Good Life - 2009 (Sony/BMG)