A life in jazz: Hugh Masekela
Hugh Masekela died at the age of 78. The star trumpeter from South Africa arrived at music early in life. Here are some of the highlights of his extraordinary career.
A passion for playing the trumpet
Masekela first played the piano as a child. Then, at age 14, he was given a trumpet by the leader of his youth orchestra, British Archbishop Trevor Huddleston. Masekela practiced obsessively and hoped to one day play the trumpet professionally. In his early 20s, he founded the band The Jazz Epistles with South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim. The two played sold-out shows in the townships.
Marriage to Miriam Makeba
The unstable political situation in South Africa forced the young musician to go into exile in 1960. He first moved to London and then to New York, where he married his compatriot, singer and anti-apartheid fighter Miriam Makeba, in 1964. The marriage lasted only two years. After the breakup, Masekela lived in Los Angeles, where his music career flourished.
Graceland tour with Paul Simon
Paul Simon embarked on his legendary Graceland tour with a number African musicians in the 1980s, including Hugh Masekela, who worked closely with him for years. During his active career, the jazz musician also collaborated with many other international stars, including Jimi Hendrix, Harry Belafonte, Fela Kuti and Stevie Wonder. (pictured left to right: Paul Simon, Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela)
Award winner
Masekela returned to South Africa in 1990 when apartheid was coming to an end. He was welcomed as a hero - and a prizewinner. Over the course of his decades-long career, Masekela won various awards, including two Grammys; one for the hit "Grazing in the Grass" (1968) and another for his album "Jabulani" (2012). At the 2011 WOMEX World Music Fair, he received a lifetime achievement award.
The 2010 World Cup in South Africa
Masekela played a concert at the opening of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. In the run-up to the World Cup, he recorded the pop anthem "Win the World" with German trumpeter Till Brönner and rock band Livingston. The repeated word in the song "Thando" from the Zulu language translates roughly as "friendship, fairness and equal rights".
Meeting Queen Elizabeth
When South African President Nelson Mandela traveled to London in 1996 for a state visit, Hugh Masekela was also in attendance. A charity event for Mandela's organization, Nation's Trust, featured performances by Masekela, Phil Collins, Quincy Jones and Tony Bennett. For Commonwealth Day in 2012, Masekala performed once again for Queen Elizabeth.
Living his life for music
Hugh Masekela regularly appeared on stage until shortly before his death. The jazz legend succumbed to cancer on January 23 in Johannesburg. With his death, the country has lost a unique musician, according to South Africa's Minister of Culture Nathi Mthethwa.