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Hugh Masekela

Biography

Hugh Ramapolo Masekela (1939–2018) was born in Witbank, South Africa, and became one of the most influential figures in South African music. As a child, he sang and played piano, but his musical trajectory changed at age 14 when anti-apartheid activist Trevor Huddleston gifted him his first trumpet, inspiring him to pursue jazz[2][3][5]. Masekela quickly mastered the instrument, forming the Huddleston Jazz Band, South Africa’s first youth orchestra, and later joining the African Jazz Revue and the orchestra for the landmark musical 'King Kong,' where he met his future wife, Miriam Makeba[1][2][4].

Masekela’s career developed amidst the political turmoil of apartheid, and his music became a vehicle for protest and cultural expression. After the Sharpeville massacre and tightening apartheid restrictions, he emigrated to the United States in 1960, studying at the Manhattan School of Music. There, he absorbed American jazz influences and collaborated with global artists, blending South African township sounds, kwela, and Afrobeat with jazz and soul[3][5]. His international breakthrough came with the 1968 hit "Grazing in the Grass," and he continued to champion African music through collaborations with artists like Fela Kuti and Paul Simon, notably joining Simon’s "Graceland" tour[3][5].

Masekela’s legacy is defined by his role as the "father of South African jazz" and his outspoken opposition to apartheid. His compositions, such as "Soweto Blues" and "Bring Him Back Home," became anthems of resistance, and his influence extended across continents, inspiring generations of musicians. He returned to South Africa after the end of apartheid, continuing to record, perform, and mentor young artists until his death in 2018[3][5].

Fun Facts

  • Masekela’s 1968 single "Grazing in the Grass" reached number one on the US pop charts, a rare feat for an African artist at the time[5].
  • He played a pivotal role in the first all-Black jazz album recorded in South Africa, with The Jazz Epistles in 1959[3][4].
  • Masekela’s autobiography, "Still Grazing: The Musical Journey of Hugh Masekela," was published in 2004[3].
  • He set up a mobile recording studio in Botswana in the 1980s to help record and promote South African musicians during apartheid[3].

Associated Acts

  • Hugh Masekela & The Union of South Africa

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

  • Trevor Huddleston - Anti-apartheid activist and chaplain who gave Masekela his first trumpet and facilitated his early musical education. (Formation of Huddleston Jazz Band) [Early 1950s]
  • Uncle Sauda - Leader of Johannesburg Native Municipal Brass Band who taught Masekela trumpet fundamentals. (Huddleston Jazz Band) [Early 1950s]
  • Louis Armstrong - Indirect influence; Armstrong sent a trumpet to Masekela via Huddleston, inspiring his jazz aspirations. (Early jazz inspiration) [1950s]

Key Collaborators

  • Miriam Makeba - Singer, activist, and spouse; frequent musical collaborator and co-arranger. (Arrangements and performances in the 1960s) [1960s]
  • Abdullah Ibrahim (Dollar Brand) - Pianist and co-founder of The Jazz Epistles, South Africa’s first influential bebop band. (The Jazz Epistles album (1959)) [Late 1950s]
  • Jonas Gwangwa - Trombonist and bandmate in The Jazz Epistles. (The Jazz Epistles album (1959)) [Late 1950s]
  • Fela Kuti - Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer; Masekela played in Kuti’s band and absorbed Afrobeat influences. (Touring and recording in the 1970s) [1970s]
  • Paul Simon - Collaborator on Simon’s "Graceland" world tour, bringing South African music to global audiences. (Graceland tour (1986–1987)) [1980s]
  • Hedzoleh Soundz - Ghanaian highlife band; recorded five albums and toured together. (Collaborative albums and tours) [1970s]

Artists Influenced

  • Sipho Mabuse - South African musician influenced by Masekela’s jazz and activism. (Jazz and pop works) [1980s–present]
  • Lira - Contemporary South African singer inspired by Masekela’s fusion of jazz and African styles. (Modern Afro-soul recordings) [2000s–present]
  • Thandiswa Mazwai - South African artist who cites Masekela as a major influence in blending traditional and modern sounds. (Afrobeat and jazz fusion) [2000s–present]

Connection Network

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Discography

Albums

Title Release Date Type
The Promise Of A Future 1968-01-01 Album
The Chisa Years 1965-1975 (Rare and Unreleased) 2006-03-13 Album
Sixty 2000 Album
Hope 2002-05-07 Album
Pure Sounds of Africa 2015-04-24 Album
Salvamm 'o munno (20th Anniversary) 2004 Album
Rejoice 2020-03-20 Album
The Boy's Doin' It 1998-01-01 Album
Black To The Future 1997-11-02 Album
Still Grazing 2004-01-01 Album

Top Tracks

  1. Grazing In The Grass (The Promise Of A Future)
  2. Riot
  3. Afro Beat Blues (The Chisa Years 1965-1975 (Rare and Unreleased))
  4. We Are One - Black Coffee Original Dub
  5. With Her Hand - Ralf GUM Instrumental
  6. Thanayi (Sixty)
  7. Never (Lagos Never Gonna Be the Same) (Rejoice)
  8. Stimela (The Coal Train) (Hope)
  9. Sechaba
  10. Mahlalela (The Chisa Years 1965-1975 (Rare and Unreleased))

Tags: #2008-universal-fire-victim, #afrobeat, #classic-pop-and-rock

References

  1. britannica.com
  2. aaregistry.org
  3. wicn.org
  4. udiscovermusic.com

Heard on WWOZ

Hugh Masekela has been played 7 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.

DateTimeTitleShowSpotify
Jan 5, 202608:44Riotfrom MasekelaThe Morning Setw/ Stuart Hall
Jan 3, 202621:09The Boy's Doin' Itfrom The Boy's Doin' ItSoul Powerw/ Soul Sister
Jan 1, 202622:33Ha Lese Le Di Khannafrom '66 - '76Kitchen Sinkw/ Jennifer Brady
Nov 25, 202517:27Excuse Me Pleasefrom The Boy's Doin' ItJazz from Jax Breweryw/ T.R. Johnson
Nov 18, 202507:48Riotfrom MasekelaThe Morning Setw/ Fox Duhon or Mark LaMaire
Oct 23, 202522:06You Told Your Mama Not To Worryfrom The Boy's Doin' ItKitchen Sinkw/ Jennifer Brady
Oct 23, 202522:02Riotfrom MasekelaKitchen Sinkw/ Jennifer Brady