Hugh Ramapolo Masekela was a South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist and composer. He has been named as “the father of South African jazz.” Masekela was known for his jazz compositions and songs such as “Soweto Blues” and “Bring Him Back Home”. Check out Hugh Masekela Wiki, Age, Height, Career, Family, Wife, Death, Awards, Biography & More.
Hugh Masekela Wiki/Bio:
| Real Name: | Mohammad Nabi Essa Khel |
| Date of Birth: | 4-April-1939 |
| Birth Place: | Witbank, South Africa |
| Zodiac Sign: | Aries |
| Profession: | Trumpeter, Flugelhornist, Cornetist, Composer |
| Death Date: | 1/23/2018 |
| Death Place: | Johannesburg, South Africa |
Hugh Masekela Career:
He had always a keen interest in music & grew up playing the trumpet that was gifted by his father when he was young. Hugh Masekela mastered the trumpet and went to play it in South Africa’s youth orchestra, the Huddleston Jazz Band. In New York, he had collaborated with many big artists and recorded many hit songs such as “Grazing in the Grass” which helped him to get a Grammy Award for “Best Contemporary Pop Performance – Instrumental” in 1968.
In 1990, he returned to South Africa and continues his musical journey there and also perform many concerts around the World.
He was featured in the documentary movie “Amandia –A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony ” and also released his autobiography “Still Grazing”.
He was described by the professor “Michael A. Gomez” as the father of South African Jazz.
Hugh Masekela was featured with his son “Selema Masekela” in a series named “Umlando – Through my Father’s Eyes”.
Hugh Masekela Family, Wife, Children:
He was born on 4 April 1939 in Witbank, South Africa. His father “Thomas Selena Masekela”, who was a health inspector while his mother “Pauline Bowers Masekela”, was a social worker by profession.
He got married to South African Grammy Award-winning singer “Miriam Makeba” but the relationship between them didn’t go well and divorced in 1966.
Later in 1999, he married to “Elinam Cofie” but also divorced her in 2013. Hugh Masekela has two children named “Sal Masekela” and “Pula Twala”.
Hugh Masekela Age, Height, Weight:
| Age: | 78 Years (At the time of Death) |
| Height: | 5 Ft 3in |
| Weight: | 70 Kgs |
Hugh Masekela Death:
He died on 23rd January 2018 after a prolonged battle with cancer.
Hugh Masekela Awards:
| Ghana Music Awards: 2007 | |
| 2005 Channel O Music Video Awards | |
| 2002 BBC Radio Jazz Awards: International Award of the Year | |
| 2016 MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs): Legend Award |
