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”. 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.
Famous Hugh Masekela Quotes
“I grew up with protests, marches, demonstrations, struggle. But I come from a clan of community workers.” ~ Hugh Masekela“I just came from South Africa, a place that had been in a perpetual uprising since 1653, so the uprising had become a way of life in our culture and we grew up with rallies and strikes and marches and boycotts.” ~ Hugh Masekela“All my experiences removed geography from my world.” ~ Hugh Masekela“I don’t think what I do is influenced by suffering. I come from a talented people who are prolific in music and dance.” ~ Hugh Masekela“It’s obvious that the rest of the world loves high African culture – African culture, period.” ~ Hugh Masekela“I don’t think what I do is influenced by suffering. I come from a talented people who are prolific in music and dance.” ~ Hugh Masekela“The Afro-American experience is the only real culture that America has. Basically, every American tries to walk, talk, dress and behave like African Americans.” ~ Hugh Masekela“I lived for music since I could think.” ~ Hugh Masekela“I am a forward-looking person and live in the moment to build for the future.” ~ Hugh Masekela“I think it is incumbent on all human beings to oppose injustice in every form.” ~ Hugh Masekela“My biggest obsession is to show Africans and the world who the people of Africa really are.” ~ Hugh Masekela
