Hugh Masekela RIP

The South African trumpeter - one of the father figures of African Jazz - has died  at the age of 78 peacefully in his home in Johannesburg. Through an international career, which spanned more than 5 decades he played with well known musicians and singers in a huge variety of styles – from Township Jazz (with the Jazz Epistles) the fiercely political jazz of the emigration years (Soweto Blues) to the disco-pop of  and the collaborations with Paul Simon on "Graceland" 

His last interview!

and here are some of my favourite tracks:

as a singer of a protest song: Coincidence

an ode to his instrument: Ten Minutes Older: The Trumpet

Afrobeat Blues 

"The Boy's Doin' It" album is a blend of his favourite music styles: 

jazz, funk, pop, Afrobeat, and R&B, plus a little Latin and a lot of disco

His tribute to Afro beat Pioneer Fela Kuti

Lounge music with Herb

His take on Calypso: Getting Fat In Africa

and as relevant as when it came out in 2002: Everything must change

His rant against perennial presidents of African nations, asking them to leave office!

This electro funk disco track was a dance chart hit!

Some of his best live collaborations:

With his ex wife Miriam Makeba:

His classic song Stimela (The Coal Train) live

with Paul Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo

with Dave Matthews Band: Proudest Monkey 

Goodbye bra Hugh, you will be surely missed!

Listen  here to the Hugh Masekela Special Edition Mixtape
Track info: Jazz on 45 Vol. 5 compiled by Todd Simon

So which is your favourite heritage track of  Masekela? 

Please nominate in the comments and don't forget 
feedback is always appreciated!

more here:

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jan/23/hugh-masekela-obituary
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jan/24/hugh-masekela-dead-jazz-afrobeat-apartheid-anthems
https://hughmasekela.co.za/