Hugh Masekela Essentials

Hugh Masekela Essentials

Trumpeter, composer, and singer Hugh Masekela didn't just give voice to South African jazz—he was also one of the country's most vocal anti-apartheid activists. But his message—whether through his music or his politics—was always one of hope, joy, and unity. He brought together pop and jazz on the bright and brassy “Grazing in the Grass.” In the ‘70s, he infused soulful, socially charged funk with Afrobeat. And he was a steadfast champion of the music of Johannesburg's townships, incorporating its richness into everything from his gorgeously arranged soundtrack work on the film Sarafina! to his trumpet-playing on Paul Simon's Graceland tour. Masekela's sonic fusion was a reflection of his own inclusive worldview.

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