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14 unusual facts about Hugh Masekela


A Dry White Season

The CD of the soundtrack fails to mention contributing musicians, including Hugh Masekela, nor includes any of the three Ladysmith Black Mambazo songs (written by Joseph Tshabalala) used so prominently in the film.

Bobby Broom

At this time he began working in New York as guitarist for Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, Dave Grusin, Hugh Masekela and Tom Browne, eventually landing his own recording contract with GRP Records.

Dudu Pukwana

Several African leaders invited him into their groups, including Hugh Masekela and trombonist Jonas Gwangwa's African Explosion (Who, Ngubani 1969).

Errol Kennedy

He worked with Hugh Masekela at Bray Film Studios to produce the soundtrack for the movie Soweto, and during the 1990s either toured or produced with bands such as Odyssey, Shalamar, Rose Royce, Grace Kennedy, Jamiroquai, Frankie Knuckles, Larry Levan, Arthur Baker, Colonel Abrams and Simon Ellis.

For the Love of You

Hugh Masekela covered the song on his 1976 Casablanca album Colonial Man

Goapele

She says she has been influenced by many including Stevie Wonder, Etta James, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Bob Marley, Portishead, Miriam Makeba, Prince, Sade, Caiphus Semenya, Zulu Spears, and Hugh Masekela.

Have You Seen Her Face

The song was written following a recording session for trumpet player Hugh Masekela that Hillman had attended during 1966, a year that saw the bassist blossoming as a songwriter.

Makgona Tsohle Band

Paul Simon's collaborations with South African artists in 1986 for his Graceland album led to a worldwide interest in African music, leading to artists such as the world-famous Ladysmith Black Mambazo as well as Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela gaining huge popularity abroad.

McCoy Mrubata

After some difficulties he began a successful career in the United Kingdom in 1988 and later worked with Hugh Masekela.

Moses Taiwa Molelekwa

In 1988 Hugh Masekela asked him to join his bands and this period saw Molelekwa winning the first of several awards.

Rashid Lombard

Lombard has photographed both local and international musicians, and has paid particular attention to recording South African musicians-in-exile like Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba and Abdullah Ibrahim.

Ronnie Laws

Laws has also recorded with numerous other artists, including Arthur Adams, Howard Hewett, Brian Culbertson, Ramsey Lewis, Jeff Lorber, Hugh Masekela, Alphonse Mouzon, David Sea, and Sister Sledge.

Stewart Levine

At seventeen Levine entered the famed Manhattan School of Music alongside noted musicians Herbie Hancock, Donald Byrd, and, most importantly, a young South African trumpet player by the name of Hugh Masekela.

Todd Matshikiza

He wrote a jazz column covering the township scene, particularly in Sophiatown, where he commented on the likes of Kippie Moeketsi and Hugh Masekela, who both played for the The Jazz Epistles.


Adam Sieff

Sieff has worked with many bands and artists including Wasted Youth, The Bad Plus, Herbie Hancock, Alexis Korner, Hugh Masekela, Big Country, Angelique Kidjo, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Denys Baptiste, Jazz Jamaica, Albert Collins, Keb' Mo', Spitting Image, Edoardo Bennato, Matumbi, Peter White and Clare Teal.

Cantaloupe Island

Versions have been recorded by many artists, including Hugh Masekela, Brian Bromberg, Poncho Sanchez, Donald Byrd, Pat Metheny, Claude Nougaro, Jean-Luc Ponty, Tanghetto, Jack DeJohnette, Kai Winding, Yonderboi and Milton Nascimento.

Erik Paliani

Beginning in 2008 he produced several album including iSiGiDiMi for Xhosa guitarist Mavo Solomon, Zamajobe's second album Ndoni Yamanzi, and then in 2009 Hugh Masekela’s album Phola.

Kippie Moeketsi

Over the years he played with several bands including Shantytown Sextet, the Harlem Swingsters and famously the Jazz Epistles that brought fame to him, Abdullah Ibrahim (or Dollar Brand as he was known then), Jonas Gwangwa, and Hugh Masekela.

Mingas

Her career is marked with big hits and collaborations with major African singers like Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Angélique Kidjo, Baba Maal, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Jimmy Dludlu, Gilberto Gil, among others.

Remi Kabaka

Remi Kabaka is a Nigerian drummer who has performed with The Rolling Stones, Ginger Baker, Steve Winwood, John Martyn, Hugh Masekela, on Rhythm of the Saints by Paul Simon, Short Cut Draw Blood by Jim Capaldi and on Band on the Run by Paul McCartney.

Sipho Mabuse

He has also recorded and produced for, amongst others, Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Ray Phiri and Sibongile Khumalo.

Stewart Sukuma

He performed at the Houston International Festival, and twice in Texas in 1998/9 with other African artists such as Angellique Kidjo, Abdullah Ibrahim, Oumou Sangare and Hugh Masekela.

Tony Cedras

He has performed or recorded, most often on accordion, with various well-known artists, including Paul Simon, Harry Belafonte, Miriam Makeba, Henry Threadgill, Muhal Richard Abrams, Cassandra Wilson, Hugh Masekela, Tony Bird and Gigi.

Truth in Translation

Truth in Translation is a stage play conceived and directed by Michael Lessac, with music by Hugh Masekela.