Contents
Hugh Masekela
Combining South African musical traditions with jazz and anti-apartheid songs.
Grazing in the Grass · Stimela
- Born
- 4 April 1939
- Birthplace
- Witbank, South Africa
- Died
- 23 January 2018
More people
Hugh Masekela
Hugh Masekela was a South African musician whose trumpet and flugelhorn became internationally recognisable.
Early life
Early instrument
Received encouragement and a trumpet while at school.
Jazz formation
Developed within South Africa’s urban music scene.
Career
- 1950s
Local bands
Played with leading South African musicians.
- 1960s–1980s
Exile
Built an international career while opposing apartheid.
- 1990s onward
Return
Worked in South Africa after decades abroad.
Selected music
Grazing in the Grass
Reached number one in the United States.
Stimela
Created a powerful account of migrant labour.
Bring Him Back Home
Called for Nelson Mandela’s release.
Beyond work
Exile networks
Collaborated with musicians across Africa and the diaspora.
Advocacy
Used performances to keep attention on apartheid.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Photo: WOMEX. CC BY 2.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
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