A Hug from Hugh

Hugh Masekela was a figure larger than life. He wasn’t just a ‘musician’ — sometimes I feel it diminishes our very heroes to call them by their trade. The man was a healer. A unifying force. An activist. A friend. Even a cursory reading of Hugh’s life story is enough to drop your jaw induce inspiration.

I was working at the front desk at the club when Hugh walked in. I was expecting him since he was to perform that night in a duo setting with pianist Larry Willis. I had listened to enough of his music to think I ‘knew’ him somewhat and I was excited to meet a hero of mine and many. He silently came down the stairs and turned to walk toward me. I got up from my desk and, although I was trying to remain formal, I was smiling genuinely ear-to-ear. I offered, “Mr. Masekela it’s an honor to meet you,” and I extended my hand for a handshake. What happened next was surreal— He bear hugged me. He gave me one of the best hugs I’ve ever received, be it from family, lovers, friends or ANYONE. Hugging him for a period of ten seconds transported me into a world of his pains, his love, his experience, and his wisdom. It was like plunging into a pool of perfect temperature. The kind that makes you forget you’re in the water so your brain can open up to secondary and tertiary moods and thoughts. It was incredible.

After that profound experience, I wrote a small poem and ‘song’ that is more like a chant or a mood. You can’t just write a ‘tune’ for someone of such grand stature. The song is called “A Hug from Hugh”. I envision this song being performed on a huge stage with beautiful African dancers and percussionists…One day, when I have the money, I will hire the top in the business and pay proper tribute to this great man. Rest in Peace Mr. Masekela!

“A Hug from Hugh”

…So I traveled round the world, my man

(been here, been there)

I was born to water and earth but moved…

(To fire and air!)

It’s so sad the world divided

(in black and white)

I wish those approaching darkness

(go back to light!)

I am the sun and vow to shine as such. My rays of love undone for all to touch.

LET ME HUG YOU!

Rob & Sue

Rob had the distinct pleasure of working at Jazz Standard, the legendary NY jazz club for a period of nearly 7 years to the date. One of his favorite experiences was working alongside Sue Mingus, a wonderful writer, intellectual, and widow of one of my musical heroes Charles Mingus. Sue, left in Charles’ vast wake, was no pushover! She ran the band with a vigor and knew the importance of hiring the right musicians for none other than “Mingus Music”. It wasn’t jazz. It wasn’t classical. It wasn’t anything but uniquely Mingus. When young musicians would approach Sue asking if they could audition for the band she, although diminutive herself, would ask in a towering voice, “Do you know Mingus Music?” If the cat said anything other than “shit, yeah!” or even waited a second and a half to respond, Sue’s answer was a resounding ‘no’.

Over the years, Rob began to know Sue quite well as well as some of the musicians in the band. Afterall, at the ‘maitre d’hotel’ it was Rob who doled out the drink tickets to the cats and put their friends/family members on the guest list. Sue was very thoughtful. She would always write handwritten cards and perhaps a little something that Charles had touched and had his energy inside. A signed copy of her book “Tonight at Noon” and an album, the last album with Eric Dolphy live in Amsterdam, was among these incredible gifts. With this business-like relationship firmly in place, the secondary and tertiary characteristics began to seep out. The dark humor. The secret stories. The gossip. The laughs! Sue was a vibrant individual and her spirit lives on through many, including Rob.

It was a typical sold out Monday night at Jazz Standard and the Mingus Big Band was swinging hard with all the right cats in place. Donald Edwards on drums, David Kikoski on piano, and Boris Kozlov on bass (using Mingus’ lionhead bass no less!) set the conditions perfectly. Boris came up to Rob on the set break and asked Rob if he would like to sit in. It was so gracious of him to mentor Rob like this over the years and share his wisdom…Rob, delighted of course, acquiesced. Boris said he would start the last song with a big bass intro and told Rob to run up on stage quickly after his intro, trade places with him, and walk a blues. The end of the set was approaching and Rob was getting mentally prepared to take the stage, meanwhile he had duties to fulfill like the head count in the room, making sure the servers knew about ‘comped’ guests in their sections, and other end of the shift duties. The hand off of the bass went seamlessly as Boris exited stage left and Rob began walking with the cats. The night ended in typical fashion with the band playing “Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting”, one of Mingus’ classic compositions. After the set, as he always did, Rob went straight to find Sue Mingus in the crowd to kiss her hand and thank her for letting him sit in. She said, “Rob, that was simply marvellous. You sounded like…You… You sounded like…” Rob, thinking she didn’t see Boris and him trade places offered, “Oh, you thought it was still Boris?”

“No, Rob. You sounded like Charles.”