A podcast about the creative process - the how, the why.
Most artists are inspired by more than just their own medium – so even though podcast host, Matshidiso is a musician, the Arts more broadly, politics, people – in short, life informs the music she makes.
And why ‘Holding up the ladder?’ Because we’re all trying to get somewhere and Matshidiso believes we not only further the arts but each other if we ‘hold up the ladder’ rather than pull the ladder up from under us as we climb.
Website: holdinguptheladder.com
Twiiter: @hutl_
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A podcast about the creative process - the how, the why.
Most artists are inspired by more than just their own medium – so even though podcast host, Matshidiso is a musician, the Arts more broadly, politics, people – in short, life informs the music she makes.
And why ‘Holding up the ladder?’ Because we’re all trying to get somewhere and Matshidiso believes we not only further the arts but each other if we ‘hold up the ladder’ rather than pull the ladder up from under us as we climb.
Website: holdinguptheladder.com
Twiiter: @hutl_
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
You’re in for a treat today! And a little interruption from conversations from my archive. I recently did a gig at London’s Jazz Cafe playing keys and singing for a special concert in honour of South Africa Freedom Day and the late great South African trumpeter, Hugh Masekela. The person leading the band was his percussionist and friend of nearly 50 years, Francis Fuster.
Born in Sierra Leone to a Liberian mother and Swiss father. Now 81 (but looks more like a man in his 60's!) a 7th Dan black belt in karate, upright and sharp as a tack. We talk about his journey from dancing, to drumming, to teaching, to percussion. About being a member of the band described as the Beatles of Africa, Gerald Pino and The Heartbeats.
We talk about his close friendship with icon and disruptor musician Fela Kuti, also the reason he started learning karate. How he went from Sierra Leone to Liberia, to Ivory Coast, to Ghana, to Nigeria, ending up in New York and the wildness of that period. We talk about playing with Paul Simon and the huge record that was Graceland. And his close professional and personal relationship with Hugh Masekela.
This was a joyous interview (what was meant to be an hour long conversation, was closer to 2!) So it's divided into 2 parts.
Guest: Francis Fuster
Title: You gotta be ready
Music: Bach, Handel, Miles Davis and John Coltrane
Music links
Geraldo Pino and the Heartbeats, Maria Lef for Waka
Hugh Masekela, Don't go lose it baby
Hugh Masekela, Bring Him Back Home (Nelson Mandela)
Francis Fuster, Najesueh
Other links
Shango-Ja Martial Arts Academy
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.