# Hugh Masekela

> South African jazz trumpeter

**Wikidata**: [Q246594](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q246594)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Masekela)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hugh-masekela

## Summary
Hugh Masekela was a South African jazz trumpeter, composer, and recording artist whose career spanned from 1956 to 2018. He is recognized for his contributions to the genres of jazz, Afrobeat, and Cape Jazz, as well as his affiliation with Mercury Records and his receipt of the Order of Ikhamanga.

## Biography
- **Born**: April 4, 1939
- **Nationality**: South African
- **Education**: Guildhall School of Music and Drama; Manhattan School of Music
- **Known for**: Jazz trumpet performance, composition, and recording artistry
- **Employer(s)**: Mercury Records
- **Field(s)**: Music (Jazz, Afrobeat, Cape Jazz)

## Contributions
Hugh Masekela built a career as a musician and recording artist active from 1956 to 2018. His work contributed to the genres of jazz, Afrobeat, and Cape Jazz, the latter being a style performed in the southern part of Africa. He was affiliated with the Zaire 74 music festival and was recognized by the South African government with the Order of Ikhamanga. Additionally, he received the Ghana Music Awards and the Etnosur award for his artistic contributions.

## FAQs
**What instruments did Hugh Masekela play?**
Hugh Masekela was a trumpeter, specializing in the jazz genre.

**Where did Hugh Masekela study music?**
He attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and the Manhattan School of Music.

**What record label was Hugh Masekela associated with?**
He was affiliated with Mercury Records, an American record label founded in 1945.

**What awards did Hugh Masekela receive?**
He received the Order of Ikhamanga, the Ghana Music Awards, and the Etnosur award.

**What are the alternate names for Hugh Masekela?**
His aliases include Hugh Ramapolo Masekela and Hugh Ramopolo Masekela.

## Why They Matter
Hugh Masekela matters as a significant cultural figure from South Africa, a nation known for its diverse history and transition from apartheid to democracy. As a jazz trumpeter and composer, he contributed to the global recognition of South African music, including the Cape Jazz genre. His work reflects the "Unity in Diversity" motto of his home country, which is a melting pot of African, European, Indian, and Chinese traditions. His recognition with the Order of Ikhamanga highlights his enduring impact on the national heritage and arts landscape of South Africa.

## Notable For
- Being a South African jazz trumpeter and composer.
- Career longevity, active from 1956 to 2018.
- Recipient of the Order of Ikhamanga.
- Association with the American record label Mercury Records.
- Education at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
- Contributions to the Afrobeat and Cape Jazz genres.
- Affiliation with the Zaire 74 music festival.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Hugh Masekela, also known by the aliases Hugh Ramapolo Masekela and Hugh Ramopolo Masekela, was born on April 4, 1939. He pursued higher education in music at two notable institutions. He attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, a higher education institution located in the City of London, United Kingdom. Founded in 1880, the school is situated on the Barbican Estate and is affiliated with City, University of London. Additionally, he studied at the Manhattan School of Music.

### Career and Musical Genres
Masekela's professional work period began in 1956 and continued until 2018. He was a multi-faceted musician, working as a trumpeter, composer, jazz musician, and recording artist. His musical output spanned several genres, including jazz, a musical style with an inception date of 1917; Afrobeat; and Cape Jazz, a genre of jazz performed in the very southern part of Africa. His career placed him within the context of the South African music scene, which is known for diverse traditions including Afrobeat, Kwaito, and Gqom.

### Affiliations and Record Labels
Throughout his career, Masekela was affiliated with Mercury Records. This American record label was founded in 1945 and is headquartered in New York City. As a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, Mercury Records operates as a major label in the global music industry, known for signing and promoting a diverse roster of artists. Masekela was also associated with the Zaire 74 music festival, an event connected to his professional timeline.

### Recognition and Awards
Masekela received significant recognition for his contributions to music. He was a recipient of the Order of Ikhamanga, a South African award established on November 30, 2003. He also received the Ghana Music Awards, an awards event in Ghana that began in 2000, and the Etnosur award. These accolades underscore his influence both within his home country and internationally.

### National and Cultural Context
As a South African citizen, Masekela's work is situated within the context of the country's rich and complex history. South Africa is a sovereign state located in southern Africa, known for its transition from the apartheid era to democracy in 1994. The country is the southernmost nation on the African continent, with a population of approximately 62 million people and a motto of "Unity in Diversity." South Africa's culture is a melting pot of African, European, Indian, and Chinese traditions, and it hosts numerous cultural festivals, including the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. Masekela's career contributed to this diverse cultural landscape, reflecting the nation's significant contributions to global arts and music.

## References

1. Biographical Dictionary of Afro-American and African Musicians
2. Dictionary of African Biography
3. [TheGuardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jan/23/hugh-masekela-obituary)
4. BnF authorities
5. Montreux Jazz Festival Database
6. [Cape Jazz Music | Discogs](https://www.discogs.com/style/cape+jazz#top_artists)
7. International Standard Name Identifier
8. MusicBrainz
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. CiNii Research
11. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
12. Internet Broadway Database
13. [Source](https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2018/01/23/hugh-masekela-legende-sud-africaine-du-jazz-est-mort_5245731_3212.html)
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. Open Library
16. [Source](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1988/category/any/show/any/)
17. CONOR.SI
18. BBC Things
19. Discogs
20. Integrated Authority File
21. YouTube API