Singer-songwriter Jesse Clegg will pay tribute to his father Johnny Clegg tonight at the iconic Gramercy Theatre in New York City.
Those supporting him include US music stars Darren Criss and Walk the Moon frontman Nicholas Petricca, and from South Africa singer Msaki, Jean-Philip Grobler and bass player Bakithi Kumalo, who performed on Paul Simon’s Graceland.
Johnny Clegg, who gained global acclaim for his Zulu rhythms, died in July 2019, aged 66, from pancreatic cancer.
Many of his hits, including Scatterlings of Africa, Human Rainbow, Great Heart, and the famous tribute to Nelson Mandela, Asimbonanga, will be performed at tonight’s tribute concert.
“We’ve had many tribute events for my dad in South Africa, and it’s always a beautiful opportunity to remember his legacy, music, incredible artistry and the principles and values that he stood for during his life,” Clegg told the Sunday Times.
“He was a symbol of human connection across racial, political, and cultural boundaries. He proved to the world that you can communicate with someone from a completely different world to you, through music, through understanding and seeing each other.
“I think South Africans get that, and he’s a part of our history — but there are a lot of Americans that also resonate with that message right now as well. I think the world is going through such a complicated moment.”
Having performed at Carnegie Hall five months ago, Clegg, 36, has a special place in his heart for the Big Apple, despite the logistical challenges. Ahead of his October concert with singer Zolani Mahola, a third of Clegg’s team could not secure US visas, which meant a rush to put together band members based in New York.
This time, it was Clegg’s own visa application that hit snags.
“[It] nearly got declined,” said Clegg, who lives in Johannesburg. “I only got my visa the day that I flew out, at 4.30pm. The consulate closes at five, and I was flying at 8pm that night, so it was down to the wire. It was very stressful.”
As a single father, international travel has not been easy. Clegg’s wife Dani Cooperman died of cancer in September 2022. Their four year-old daughter Mylah is staying in Canada with her grandparents while Clegg performs.
“This week is just crazy busy... We’re rehearsing all week, with interviews and writing sessions — but Myla is having fun skiing and playing in the snow. She’s very musical and loves singing and dancing, an amazing little girl.”
His daughter’s experience parallels much of his own life with his father. “I think up until I was about six, my whole childhood was tour buses and airports and hotel rooms and backstage at shows — which was a really wonderful upbringing and very educational for me. I got to see the world. I got to experience other languages and cultures.
“I’d be with my dad while he was performing in Europe, where the audience didn’t speak English or Zulu,” he said. “But the music transcended the language. You don’t necessarily need to understand the lyrics to understand what the song is saying or feel the emotion of it.”
So, is a New York move on the cards?
“Maybe, in the future. Currently I’m a full-time musician in South Africa. I’m going back to a full schedule of shows and song releases and studio projects — pretty full-on with my own career. I’m also trying to perform and play in America.
“I do love South Africa. It is so deeply connected to my family and my history. And my dad really believed in the country and really wanted to be part of whatever the modern-day South Africa was going to be. We must contribute, and I think I’m always aware of my responsibility to South Africa as a citizen and as someone who loves our country.”
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