Hugh Ramopolo Masekela was a singer and celebrated flugelhorn artist.
Hugh Masekela’s albums and best songs have had a profound impact on his fans all over the world.
He grew up playing the piano, and Father Huddleston introduced him to the trumpet at a tender age.
Hugh Masekela attends the Jazz FM Awards at Vinopolis in London, England. Photo: Jo HaleSource: Getty Images
His extensive musical style is infused with Jazz and Mbaqanga.
Hugh Masekela albums and best songs
Hugh churned out over 40 solo albums.
Hugh Masekela albums
The jazz maestro has a myriad of songs under his belt.
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Hugh Masekela’s albums have been produced and released by various record labels, including MGM.
Some of them are via his own production house.
Below are some of his famous albums.
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It was released via Mercury Records.
The Americanization of Ooga Booga
The album is a mix of American jazz themes andSouth Africanmusical inspirations.
It was recorded live at The Village Gate nightclub in New York City.
Hugh Masekela was bestowed with a sixth doctorate by Wits University in Johannesburg, South Africa. Masekela was conferred with a doctorate of music. Photo: Gallo ImagesSource: Getty Images
It was released through the MGM Records label.
Hugh Masekela’s Latest
This album was released in 1967 through the Uni Records label.
Some of its notable tracks includeBaby, Baby, Baby,Here,andThere and Everywhere.
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Some of the hits in the album areUp Up and AwayandA White Shade of Pale.
The Promise of a Future
It was recorded in March 1968 in Los Angeles, California.
The album was intended to expand people’s awareness of Africanmusic.
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In December 1968, it was released as a separate album.
Masekela
The album was recorded in Los Angeles.
In this album, the artist performs several of his compositions.
Hugh Masekela during an interview in Johannesburg, South Africa. Photo: Veli NhlapoSource: Getty Images
The tracksMace and GrenadesandGoldwere included in the album.
Reconstruction
It was released via the Chisa Records label.
The album was launched on CD in 1994 by MoJazz label.
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Hugh Masekela included the songI Willby John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
Hugh Masekela & The Union of South Africa
It was released through the Chisa Records label.
The album was re-released on CD in 1994 on the MoJazz label.
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It also appears in the book1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
Introducing Hedzoleh Soundz
The album was recorded in Nigeria and released in 1973.
Track Languta was later included in his renowned albumStill Grazing.
Hugh Masakela performing at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Photo: Clayton CallSource: Getty Images
I Am Not Afraid
It was recorded in Los Angeles.
Tracks likeBeen such a Long Time GoneandStimelawere also included in the album.
Verve Records released the album again on CD in 1998 with six extra tracks.
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Some of the songs in the album include Hugh Masekela’sMama, Excuse Me just,andAshiko.
Later on, it was released by Casablanca Records as an 8-track cassette.
Melody Maker
It was recorded in Maryland and Virginia and released in 1976 through Casablanca Records.
Hugh Masekela performs onstage at the The 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Kevork DjansezianSource: Getty Images
The tracksToejamandHi-Lifewere launched on CD in 1998 on Verve Records as a part ofThe Boy’s Doin' Italbum.
It includes the songSoweto Blues,performed bysongstress Miriam Makeba.
It was released in 1978 via A&M Records and Horizon Records labels.
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Techno-Bush
It is a studio album released by Hugh Masekela in 1984 and was recorded in Botswana.
Waiting for the Rain
The album features a collection of local African stars.
Notable ones includeBheki Mselekuand feature a cover of Fela Kuti’s classic songLady.
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The album is a dedication to Pauline Bowers Masekela, his mother.
It is his last album in exile before apartheid ended.
Hope
Hopeis a live album by South African jazz trumpeter Hugh Masekela.
Trumpeter and singer Hugh Masekela performs at the 35th Anniversary Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood, California. Photo: Rodrigo VazSource: Getty Images
Hugh Masekela’s - Stimela
This 1994 compilation album is a jazz trumpeter from South Africa.
The album was compiled and produced by Masekela’s long-time colleague Stewart Levine.
Notes of Life
The album was recorded in South Africa.
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It was released via the Columbia label.
Sony Music launchedNotes of Lifeon CD in 1999.
Sixty
It was recorded in South Africa and released through the Shanachie label.
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It is a reflective collection that includes 14 tracks by Masekela.
Hugh Masekela’s -Send Mesong was among thebest songsfeatured in the album.
Who is Nia Pearl?
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It alternates between breezy instrumentals, township vocals, and moderately sturdy ballads.
Live at the Market Theater
The album represents his commitment to South African Identity.
It consists of 15 tracks recorded in June 2006 at his two-and-a-half-hour concert at the theatre in Jo’burg.
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Still Grazing
The album is a retrospective collection of his compositions recorded between 1966 and 1974.
It is the soundtrack to Masekela’s recent autobiography, which bears the same name.
The collection is composed of 12 jazz standards.
The album is a collection of traditional South Africanwedding songsrecorded in Pretoria, South Africa.
Playing at Work
Recorded in Pretoria and launched in 2012, with a reworked version in 2013.
The album is evidence that the maestro always had an element of surprise in most of his releases.
No Borders
It is Masekela’s last studio album, and Universal Music released it.
It was his first album after five years.
However, some of Hugh Masekela’s best songs include the following:
Who owns Don Billiato?
He was famously known as the father of South African jazz.
How old is Hugh Masekela?
He was born in the Witbank township of KwaGuqa, now known as Emalahleni, South Africa.
His parents were health inspector Thomas Selena Masekela and social worker Pauline Bowers Masekela.
How many albums does Hugh Masekela have?
At the time of his death, he had released over 40 albums.
Some includeThe Promise of a Future,Trumpet Africaine, andAlmost Like Being in Jazz.
Why was Hugh Masekela exiled from South Africa?
How did Hugh Masekela influence the country?
The musician used his public platform to condemn apartheid and substance abuse.
His music has inspired many people, and he is still recognized for his talent.
Who is Brian Temba?
Meet Simba from The Lion King Disney musical
Hugh Masekela was such a determined and hard-working artist.
He made extensive global tours as he produced more albums and songs.
These tracks' artists have distinct and lively vocals that keep listeners hooked.
She has a Bachelor of Commerce & IT from the University of Nairobi and joined Briefly.co.za in November 2019.
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She has worked for The Hoth, The Standard Group and Triple P Media.
Adrianna graduated from Nairobi University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in 2020.
In 2023, Adrianna finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques.
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