Selema Masekela is the son of the legendary South African Hugh Masekela. Who was Selema’s father? Is he still alive? What did he do?
Keep scrolling down this article to learn more about Selema.
Meet Hugh Masekela, father of Selema Masekela
Selema Masekela was born to father Hugh Masekela, a famous African jazz musician. Hugh passed away on January 18, 2018.
Selema spoke about his relationship with his father on UPROXX in February 2022. Speaking to the host, he said: “But I feel him with me more and more every day.”
He continued: “The first year I felt like I was just alone and then I started feeling the low tones and you feel him and it’s like a wave of sadness and then a wave of knowing that you can feel him lyrically and he’s giving you these little strokes and advice.”
Furthermore, Selema shared that his earliest memories of time with his father were at the club. They would hang out during the day and go out for burgers and hang out with his friends. Every time Selema went to see his father play, he was excited to see him as if it was his first time.
What Selema loved about his father was that wherever Hugh went he had to travel. He ended up roadie with him on the Graceland tour with Paul Simon.
In August 2023, Hugh was inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame at Lincoln Center.
Hugh raised Selema in Staten Island, New York and Carlsbad, California. He started playing music himself around the 2nd grade.
In 1992, Selema started working for Transworld Publications as an intern. During the 2003–2004 NBA season. he also worked as a sideline reporter for ESPN. From September 26, 2010, until his cancellation, he co-hosted E!’s The Daily 10, a countdown of the daily “top 10” entertainment stories. He also hosted the X Games and Winter X Games on ESPN for 13 years. He hosted and served as executive producer of the VICELAND documentary series VICE World of Sports following his time at ESPN.
Alekesam, the name of Selema’s own band, was also the title of his debut film, which was screened at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival and which chronicled his relationship with his father and how they bonded through music.
It’s interesting to note that Selema has contributed music to Entourage and House of Lies, and their latest song, “All Is Forgiven,” was featured on the fourth season premiere of the Showtime hit.
Hugh Masekela Age at his death
At the time of his death, Hugh Masekela was 78 years old. He was born on April 4, 1939.
Hugh Masekela business
Hugh Masekela was a musician and political activist. He started playing the piano as a child and showed musical talent at a young age. Hugh started playing the trumpet after being inspired by the film The Horned Boy, with the support of anti-apartheid activist Father Trevor Huddleston, who helped him buy the instrument.
Hugh then, at Huddleston’s request, took trumpet lessons from Uncle Sauda, a member of the Johannesburg ‘Native’ Municipal Brass Band. Shortly after learning to play the trumpet, he joined the Huddleston Jazz Band, South Africa’s first youth orchestra, playing alongside other up-and-coming artists.
Hugh shared the stage with artists such as Dollar Brand (Abdullah Ibrahim), Jonas Gwangwa and Kippie Moeketsi when he was just a young man in South Africa. In addition to these individuals, Masekela has also worked with Miriam Makeba, Dorothy Masuka from Zimbabwe, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Hedzoleh Soundz, Francis Fuster and Dudu Pukwana.
In addition, Hugh was a key component of the orchestra for the South African version of Todd Matshikiza’s Broadway musical King Kong. This happened when Masekela went on tour with the Manhattan Brothers jazz group in 1958 and spent two years performing in London’s West End. Many of the musicians mentioned above participated in this popular musical.
Hugh’s personal experiences had a profound effect on him, and as a result, he created music that reflected his impressions of the challenging political environment in South Africa in the 1950s and 1960s. The hardships and pleasures of life in South Africa are thus depicted in Masekela’s song, which also expresses a protest against slavery and injustice.
As Selema remembers, wherever Hugh went on tour he tried to see where “the people” were and tried to speak for them. This allowed him to gather material for him as a champion of men and combat.
Hugh continued to compose and record many new songs in New York; including his 1968 number one hit ‘Grazing in the Grass’. He played primarily in jazz bands, such as the Jazz Epistles, and successfully collaborated with international artists such as The Byrds and Paul Simon.
Hugh Masekela has also produced music for musicals such as Sarafina and was featured in the documentary Amandla! Masekela’s musical style continues to incorporate various African styles fused with jazz and funk and has evolved more into an adult contemporary style, which can be heard on his albums Techno-Bush, Tomorrow, Uptownship and Revival.
Hugh Masekela has continued to produce music and tour the world, most recently including a 2007 tour of the US and Canada to promote a live recording, “Hugh Masekela: Live at the Market Theatre”. Winner of the Grammy Award for “Best Contemporary Pop Performance – Instrumental” back in 1968, Masekela is still regarded as one of South Africa’s most prominent and talented musicians.
He was in political exile for 30 years.
Was Hugh Masekela on Instagram?
No, Hug Masekela was not on Instagram.
Hugh Masekela Height
Hugh Masekela stood tall above the height of 6 feet.
Related FAQs
-
Where was Hugh Masekela from?
Hugh Masekela hails from Witbank, Mpumalanga (then Eastern Transvaal), South Africa.
-
When was Hugh Masekela’s birthday?
Hugh Masekela’s birthday is April 4.
Categories: Biography
Source: newstars.edu.vn