Artist page

Hugh Masekela was a South African flugelhorn, trumpet, and cornet player, born on April 4, 1939, in Witbank, Mpumalanga, South Africa. He played a significant role in the anti-apartheid campaign and was exiled to the United States in 1961, where he was befriended by various artists. Masekela primarily performed in jazz ensembles and made guest appearances on albums by notable musicians. He was inspired in his musical journey by Trevor Huddleston, a British priest who financed his first trumpet. Masekela gained prominence in the Sophiatown scene and later moved to Britain with the musical "King Kong," eventually settling in New York in the early 1960s. He achieved hits in the United States with pop-jazz tunes such as "Up, Up And Away" and the number one hit "Grazing In The Grass." His 1987 single "Bring Him Back Home" became an anthem for the movement to free Nelson Mandela. After the end of apartheid, Masekela returned to South Africa, where he explored his African roots and collaborated with West and Central African musicians. He established a mobile studio in Botswana in the 1980s, which allowed him to re-absorb and incorporate mbaqanga strains into his music. Masekela continued to use these influences after returning to South Africa in the early 1990s. He passed away

For any edit requests, please reach out to info@rovr.live