Hugh Masekela

South African jazz trumpeter

Hugh Ramapolo Masekela (4 April 1939 – 23 January 2018)[1] was a South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer and singer. He has been 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".

Hugh Masekela
Masekela in 2013
Masekela in 2013
Background information
Birth nameHugh Ramapolo Masekela
Born(1939-04-04)4 April 1939
Witbank, South Africa
Died23 January 2018(2018-01-23) (aged 78)
Johannesburg, South Africa
GenresJazz, mbaqanga
Occupation(s)Musician, singer, composer, bandleader
InstrumentsTrumpet, flugelhorn, trombone, cornet, vocals
Years active1956–2018
LabelsMercury, MGM, Uni, Chisa, Blue Thumb, Casablanca Records, Heads Up, Verve, PolyGram

Masekela died in Johannesburg on 23 January 2018 from prostate cancer, aged 78.[2][3]

References

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  1. "Jazz trumpeter Hugh Masekela dies". BBC News. 2018. Retrieved 2018-01-23.
  2. Burke, Jason (23 January 2018). "Hugh Masekela, South African jazz trumpeter, dies aged 78". The Guardian.
  3. "Hugh Masekela, South African jazz trumpeter, dies", BBC News, 23 January 2018 accessdate 23 January 2018