Hugh Masekela’s legacy will live on – Parliament

Hugh Masekela, South African jazz trumpeter, died on Tuesday

THE South African Parliament on Tuesday hailed jazz legend Hugh Masekela – the iconic musician, composer, singer as a selfless struggle hero whose legacy has shaped the contemporary arts landscape.

Masekela, known as the “father of South African jazz” who used his music in the fight against apartheid, died peacefully early Tuesday surrounded by his family in Johannesburg after a long battle with prostate cancer. He was 78 years old.

In a statement, Parliament presiding officers said that the world will continue to draw inspiration from Masekela’s life.

“On behalf of Parliament, the presiding officers extend deepest condolences to the family and friends of iconic musician, composer, singer and inspirational South African Bra Hugh Masekela.”

“Bra Hugh’s enduring legacy will live on and South Africa and the world will continue to draw inspiration from his accomplished, odds-defying, selfless and inspirational life. It was music which resonated internationally and continues to appeal and shape the contemporary arts landscape.”

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In a career spanning more than five decades, Masekela gained international recognition with his distinctive Afro-Jazz sound and hits such as “Soweto Blues”, which served as one of the soundtracks to the anti-apartheid movement.

Since the 1950s, his music has portrayed the hardships, sorrows, joys and passions of our country and the struggle for freedom from oppression and injustice.

Among his unforgettable masterpieces, which fired up revolutionary consciousness, were Grazing in the Grass, the sombre power of Stimela, Soweto Blues which spoke of the 1976 youth protest, and Bring Him Back Home – the song that became an anthem for the movement to free Nelson Mandela.

When he spoke out and agitated against the apartheid regime, he was banished from South Africa, returning only in 1990.

In 2016, Bra Hugh performed for the first time again after 60 years with Abdullah Ibrahim in an event to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1976 uprising.

Masekela’s family said that it will release details of his memorial and burial services in due course. –www.iol.co.za

Hugh Masekela leaves a powerful legacy

THE internationally renowned jazz singer and multi-instrumentalist lost his 10-year battle with prostate cancer. In October last year, Masekela cancelled all his performances to receive medical treatment for a new tumour that was discovered earlier in 2017. In 2016, he underwent surgery relating to the cancer that had spread.

internationally renowned Masekela was involved in many projects worldwide in the music, film, literature and theatre industries. The former husband of the late Miriam Makeba, was presented with the highest order in South Africa, The Order of Ikhamanga. In 2011 he received a Lifetime Achievement award at the Womex World Music Expo in Copenhagen. Bra Hugh was also honoured with a ‘Hugh Masekela Day’ in March 2011.

Masekela attended the Manhattan School of Music in New York, where he studied classical trumpet from 1960 to 1964.  He lived in exile during the apartheid years and his 1987 hit Bring Him Back Home subsequently became the theme tune for Nelson Mandela’s world tour after he was released from prison. He performed the song with Paul Simon during the Graceland Tour.

During his illustrious career, he shared the stage with legends such as Harry Belafonte, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Dave Matthews Band and Paul Simon, to name a few. He broke new ground in the United States with pop jazz hits like Up, Up and Away (1967) and the number-one smash hit Grazing in the Grass (1968), which sold four million copies. During his career, he was nominated for seven Grammys and won two. Masekela was known as one of the most hard-working entertainers in South Africa. He toured constantly and kept his finger on the pulse of South Africa music. – risingsunchatsworth.co.za