Born in 1939 in Witbank, a small town outside Johannesburg, Hugh Masekela developed a love for music at a young age. He sang and played the piano as a boy and picked up the trumpet at age fourteen.

Influenced by Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Miles Davis, Masekela created his own blend of jazz mixed with traditional South African melodies. His music took inspiration from both his rich culture and the difficult era of political turmoil and segregation.

In 1961, Masekela left South Africa to pursue his music career abroad. He studied in London and then New York at the Manhattan School of Music.

Masekela soared in the American music scene and became one of the first African artist’s to hit a number one single with his 1968 hit Grazin’ in the Grass. His unique style and mastery of the trumpet landed him world success.

His 1987 hit song Bring Him Back Home captured the changing political spirit of South Africa and became an anthem for Nelson Mandela’s release. After being in exile for 30 years, Masekela returned home at the end of Apartheid in 1990.

© ProjectExplorer.org, 2007-present.
Text by Kathryn Berk.