Hugh+Maskela

Hugh Masekela was and still is a famous trumpet player, born on April 4, 1939 in Witbank, South Africa. He is now 75 years old. Masekela is also the father of American television host Sal Maskela. Talent all around.

Hugh Masekela developed the love for music at a young age. He was only four years old when he started playing piano and later started to play trumpet, trombone, and the coronet. Maskela quickly picked up the things he learned and soon mastered the art of the trumpet. His music closely reflects his life experiences. His career quickly took off when he was offered to play with people like Dollar Brand and Kippie Moeketsi. He was later offered a spot in the Jazz Epistles, the first African jazz group to record an LP and preform for record-breaking audiences in Johannesburg and Capetown.

After the Sharpeville massacre, Masekela left the country, helped by Trevor Huddleston and other international friends who got him admitted into London's Guildhall school of music. Later, he came to the United States of America and made other famous friends. Masekela also received a Grammy award in 1968 for Best Contemporary Pop Performance-Instrumental for his song //Grazin in the Grass//. Hugh Maskela still plays very well today with more great performances and pieces of music to come.