4 April: Remembering Hugh Masekela on Birthday

OV Digital Desk
4 Min Read
Hugh Masekela

Image Courtesy: Google Doodle

Hugh Masekela (4 April 1939 – 23 January 2018) was a South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, singer and composer who was described as “the father of South African jazz”.

Life and Career

Hugh Ramapolo Masekela was born in the township of KwaGuqa in Witbank on 4 April 1939.

His father was a pianist and his grandfather was a traditional healer who played the horn.

Masekela began playing the trumpet at an early age and showed exceptional talent, earning a scholarship to attend the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. While in the United States, he became involved in the civil rights movement and was a close friend and collaborator of many prominent African-American musicians, including Harry Belafonte, Miriam Makeba, and Miles Davis.

Masekela’s music was a fusion of African rhythms, jazz, and traditional South African musical styles, such as mbaqanga and township jive. His most famous song, “Grazing in the Grass,” was a worldwide hit in 1968 and showcased his unique blend of African and Western musical influences.

Throughout his career, Masekela was a vocal opponent of apartheid in South Africa and used his music as a tool for political activism and social justice. He was forced into exile from his home country for many years because of his activism and only returned to South Africa after the fall of apartheid in the 1990s.

In addition to his music career, Masekela was also an author, actor, and educator. He wrote an autobiography, “Still Grazing: The Musical Journey of Hugh Masekela,” and appeared in several films, including “Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony.” He also founded the Hugh Masekela Heritage Foundation, which supports music education and cultural preservation in South Africa.

Hugh Masekela passed away on 23 January 2018, at the age of 78, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest African musicians of all time and a tireless advocate for social justice and human rights.

Award and Legacy

Hugh Masekela’s contributions to African music and his activism for social justice have been widely recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout his life and posthumously. Some of his notable awards and recognitions include:

Masekela was nominated for a Grammy Award three times, including a nomination for Best World Music Album for his 2012 album Jabulani, and one for Best Musical Cast Show Album for Sarafina! The Music Of Liberation (1989) and one for Best Contemporary Pop Performance for the song “Grazing in the Grass” (1968).

Masekela’s legacy in African music and culture is also significant. He is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of African jazz and his music has influenced many generations of musicians both in South Africa and around the world. Masekela’s activism and use of music as a tool for social justice have also had a lasting impact on the struggle against apartheid in South Africa and on the global movement for human rights. He is remembered as a cultural icon, a musical genius, and a fearless voice for justice and equality.

On 4 April 2019, Google celebrated Hugh Masekela’s 80th Birthday with a doodle.

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