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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