Meet the father of South African jazz, Hugh Masekela

Hugh Ramapolo 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".

Masekela was known for his jazz compositions and for writing well-known anti-apartheid songs such as "Soweto Blues" and "Bring Him Back Home".

He was an artist who in his music vividly portrayed the struggles and sorrows, as well as the joys and passions of his country.

Masekela was nominated for an Grammy Award three times, including a nomination for Best World Music Album for his 2012 album Jabulani, one for Best Musical Cast Show Album for Sarafina.

At the end of 1959, Dollar Brand (later known as Abdullah Ibrahim), Kippie Moeketsi, Makhaya Ntshoko, Jonas Gwangwa, Johnny Gertze and Hugh formed the Jazz Epistles, the first African jazz group to record an LP.

In 2016, at Emperors Palace, Johannesburg, Masekela and Abdullah Ibrahim performed together for the first time in 60 years, reuniting the Jazz Epistles in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the historic 16 June 1976 youth demonstrations.



From 1964 to 1966 Masekela was married to singer and activist Miriam Makeba.

He had subsequent marriages to Chris Calloway (daughter of Cab Calloway), Jabu Mbatha.

Associated acts: Abdullah Ibrahim, Miriam Makeba, Herb Alpert, Paul Simon, Selema Masekela, Barbara Masekela, Earl Sweatshirt.

Photo by Dany Gignoux (Hugh Masekela in concert at the Montreux Jazz Festival, 14 July 1987.)