Hugh Masekela | Artist

Hugh Masekela was a South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, singer and composer born 1939 in KwaGuqa Township, South Africa. He has been described as "the father of South African jazz", being known for his jazz compositions and for writing well-known anti-apartheid songs such as "Soweto Blues" and "Bring Him Back Home". At the age of 14, after seeing the 1950 film 'Young Man With a Horn', modelled on American jazz cornetist Bix Beiderbecke, Masekela took up playing the trumpet. He soon joined the newly formed Huddleston Jazz Band, South Africa's first youth orchestra. When Louis Armstrong heard from his friend Archbishop Trevor Huddleston about the formation of The Huddleston Jazz Band, he sent one of his own trumpets as a gift for Hugh Masekela. From 1954, Masekela played music that closely reflected his life experience. The agony, conflict, and exploitation South Africa faced during the 1950s and 1960s inspired and influenced him to make music and also spread political change. Between his debut recording in 1962 and his death in 2018, Masekela released 36 studio albums, including collaborations with leading artists such as Herb Alpert, Tony Allen and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Standouts include The Americanization of Ooga Booga, Masekela, You Told Your Mama Not To Worry, Hugh Masekela and The Union of South Africa and Introducing Hedzoleh Soundz. Hugh Masekela also performed at the 1968 Monterey Pop Festival and appears on the soundtrack recording.

Artist Website: hughmasekela.co.za

Featured Albums: Hugh Masekela

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