80 years ago today (4/4/39), the late legendary South African jazz musician Hugh Masekela was born. Often called the “Father of South African jazz,” he was also affectionately known locally as “Bra Hugh,” and started playing the horn at 14 and quickly became an integral part of the 1950s jazz scene in Johannesburg as a member of the Jazz Epistles. Masekela was renowned for writing well-known anti-apartheid songs such as “Soweto Blues” and “Bring Him Back Home”. He also had a number 1 US pop hit in 1968 with his version of “Grazing in the Grass”. Masekala died on 1/23/18 at the age of 78 after a decade-long fight with cancer. Listen to “Grazing in the Grass” below…
