Legendary Hugh Masekela : South Africa’s ‘Father of Jazz’

Often referred to as “the father of South African jazz,” Hugh Masekela left us on January 23 at the age of 78, but the legacy of this legendary jazz musician and anti-apartheid militant will continue to live.

He first picked up a trumpet in the 1950s: a time when the colour of his skin meant he was no more than a second-class citizen in his own country, South Africa.

Masekela was born on 4 April 1939 in Witbank, a mining town in eastern South Africa, and was given his first trumpet by the anti-apartheid activist archbishop Trevor Huddleston, with whom he formed a jazz band in Soweto in the 1950s. This band later became a launchpad for many of South Africa’s most famous jazz musicians.

As the apartheid situation got difficult in South Africa, he left and went on to study in the UK and the US. Over the following decades, he would become known across the world for both his music and his role as an anti-apartheid activist. Indeed, songs like Soweto Blues would provide the soundtrack of the movement.

The exploitation in South Africa inspired his music and his political activism. His music portrayed the struggles, sorrows, joys and passions of his countrymen.

In 1964, he married fellow South African musician Miriam Makeba, also known as Mama Africa. The marriage ended in divorce two years later, but they would continue to perform together throughout the years.

In 1967, he performed at the Monterey Pop Festival alongside Janis Joplin, Otis Redding, Ravi Shankar, The Who and Jimi Hendrix.

In 1968, he had his breakout song: the instrumental single Grazing in the Grass, which topped the charts in the US and became a worldwide hit.

In 1987 hit “Bring Him Back Home” became the anthem for Nelson Mandela’s visits around the world after his release from prison.

After more than 30 years in exile, Masekela returned to South Africa in the early 90s after the release of Nelson Mandela from prison and the end of apartheid. He released more than 40 albums, and toured in South Africa and internationally until late last year.

In 2010, he took to the stage with Nigerian singer Femi Kuti at the opening ceremony of the football World Cup, which was being held in South Africa.

Two years later, he went on tour with his old friend Paul Simon to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Graceland.

He died in Johannesburg after a courageous battle with prostate cancer. However, we are confident that his legacy will live on, and we’ll not forget his words “My biggest obsession is to show Africans and the world who the people of Africa really are” Hugh Masekela.

Sources: BBC & CNN