Hugh Masekela : NPR

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Michael Ochs Archives/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

All Songs Considered

In Memoriam 2018: The Musicians We Lost

December 26, 2018 • A look back at the extraordinary creative souls we lost in 2018, from producer Richard Swift and opera singer Montserrat Caballé to rapper Mac Miller and Aretha Franklin.

In Memoriam 2018: The Musicians We Lost

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'Jazz Night In America' Remembers Artists We Lost In 2018

Grammy-winning trumpeter Roy Hargrove passed away at age 49. Courtesy of The Roy Hargrove Estate hide caption

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Courtesy of The Roy Hargrove Estate

Jazz Night In America: The Radio Program

'Jazz Night In America' Remembers Artists We Lost In 2018

Jazz at Lincoln Center

December 20, 2018 • Friends of the show offer memories and music of pianist Cecil Taylor, Village Vanguard owner Lorraine Gordon, South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela and trumpeter Roy Hargrove.

'Jazz Night In America' Remembers Artists We Lost In 2018

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Before The Rumble In The Jungle, Music Rang Out At Zaire 74

South African legend Miriam Makeba performing at Zaire 74. The performances of the African artists on the 1974 music festival's lineup have been unearthed for a new live album. Courtesy of Stewart Levine hide caption

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Courtesy of Stewart Levine

Music Interviews

Before The Rumble In The Jungle, Music Rang Out At Zaire 74

June 14, 2017 • Trumpeter Hugh Masekela and producer Stewart Levine organized the 1974 festival and produced the new album Zaire 74: The African Artists, which captures performances by Miriam Makeba, Franco and more.

Before The Rumble In The Jungle, Music Rang Out At Zaire 74

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The Legacy Of The Jazz Epistles, South Africa's Short-Lived But Historic Group

Jonas Gwangwa with Hugh Masekela and Kippie Moeketsi. Halim's Photographic Service, Cape Town BAHA/Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online hide caption

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Halim's Photographic Service, Cape Town BAHA/Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online

Jazz Night In America

The Legacy Of The Jazz Epistles, South Africa's Short-Lived But Historic Group

WBGO

April 26, 2017 • Hugh Masekela and Abdullah Ibrahim, two of the biggest stars to emerge from South Africa, achieved success independently. But the two are cosmically linked by a single 1960 recording session.

Hugh Masekela: Wedding Songs That Don't Sound Blue

Hugh Masekela. courtesy of the artist hide caption

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courtesy of the artist

Review

Music Reviews

Hugh Masekela: Wedding Songs That Don't Sound Blue

Fresh Air

March 1, 2012 • South African trumpeter and band leader Hugh Masekela has released more than 30 albums since his American debut in 1961. The concept behind his latest album, Jabulani, is deceptively simple. It's a collection of South African wedding songs which Masekela remembers vividly from his youth.

Hugh Masekela: Wedding Songs That Don't Sound Blue

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Jazz Artists On Five Classic Pop-Rock Sides

The Saxophone Colossus (that's Sonny Rollins at left) played on The Rolling Stones' "Waiting on a Friend." Photo Illustration: Lars Gotrich/Photos: Rick Diamond/Getty Images, Miguel Palacios/Cover. hide caption

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Photo Illustration: Lars Gotrich/Photos: Rick Diamond/Getty Images, Miguel Palacios/Cover.

A Blog Supreme

Jazz Artists On Five Classic Pop-Rock Sides

WFIU

July 27, 2011 • Did you know that Sonny Rollins played on a Rolling Stones song? Hear that and other jazz cameos from famous pop-rock tracks.

The African Jazz Pioneers kick it, South Africa style. Photo Illustration: Lars Gotrich; photos: Intuition Records, iStock. hide caption

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Photo Illustration: Lars Gotrich; photos: Intuition Records, iStock.

Take Five: By Region

Kick It Up With South African Jazz

WESA

June 15, 2010 • From June 11 to July 11, nine cities in South Africa are hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The excitement has stretched from Johannesburg to Pretoria and the world over. In honor of the world coming together to celebrate soccer in the "rainbow nation," here's a chance to sample four South African jazz artists and one of the World Cup performers.

Mulatu Astatke just released a new album with The Heliocentrics. Funkhaus Europa hide caption

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Funkhaus Europa

Take Five: A Jazz Sampler

Jazz Out Of Africa

WESA

July 6, 2009 • Jazz music was born in America in the early 20th century, evolving out of a meeting of African and European music traditions. Once the style began to develop around the world, jazz found its way back to Africa. Hear five of Africa's best jazz musicians, including Mulatu Astatke.

Music Interviews

A South African Great, Playing 'To Get Well'

April 25, 2009 • At 70, Hugh Masekela says he has personally healed. But the trumpeter and vocalist, long known as both a celebrated artist and an anti-apartheid activist, has recorded "songs of concern" on his new album, Phola.

A South African Great, Playing 'To Get Well'

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Concerts

Ladysmith Black Mambazo And Hugh Masekela: Carrying South Africa

WBGO

August 7, 2008 • In careers spanning many decades, Hugh Masekela and Ladysmith Black Mambazo have carried the music of South Africa around the world, and played critical roles in the international movement to end apartheid. Fifteen years after the climax of that historic struggle, both still tour.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo And Hugh Masekela: Carrying South Africa

Concerts

Hugh Masekela at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival

WBGO

February 14, 2008 • Hugh Masekela devoted the prime of his life to the struggle of his lifetime –- ending apartheid in South Africa. Short in stature but great in presence, Masekela has that spark that continues to engage us. Masekela's band performs a concert at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival.

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World Cafe

Hugh Masekela Taps His Deep Roots

WXPN

December 28, 2005 • Hugh Masekela comes from an extensive jazz background; he is also known as one of the greatest innovators in world fusion. Now Masekela has a new CD, Revival, that draws on pop, jazz and R&B influences.