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Hugh Masekela plays the trumpet beneath the word 'playlist'
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Playlist: Hugh Masekela

For over six decades Hugh Masekela was the beating heart of South African jazz music. 

Playlist
Reading time 1 minute read
Originally posted Sat 27 Mar 2021

From the Huddleston Jazz Band of the 1950s to the 2012 award-winning album Jabulani, the trumpeter and singer-songwriter set himself apart as a jazz visionary and defiant political voice.

Famed for his unique brass tone, Masekela earned global success and recognition for his hits ‘Grazing in the Grass’, ‘Stimela’ and ‘Bring Him Back Home’, as well as his work on Paul Simon’s seminal album, Graceland.

When Masekela sadly passed away in 2018, the Southbank Centre held a special evening of his music later that year. Put together with the aid of his family, celebrating the life and music of the man known as ‘the father of South African jazz’ The Boy’s Doin It was part of that year’s EFG London Jazz Festival.

And, to give you a flavour of that event, and this very special talent, we also put together this Spotify playlist.