Hugh Masekela was one of Africa’s greatest musicians – Ken Addy

Entertainment of Tuesday, 23 January 2018

Source: Myjoyonline.com

2018-01-23

Hugh Masekela Dead 56 Ken 4Hugh Masekela

Veteran broadcaster Ken Addy has described the late South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela as one of Africa’s greatest musicians.

Eulogizing the gifted jazz trumpeter, Mr Addy, popularly called Uncle Ken, said the South African was a true gem when it comes to music.

The leading figure in the struggle to end apartheid in South Africa gave up the ghost on Tuesday, January 23 aged 78.

The 1968 Grammy Award winner’s family, in a statement, said he “passed away peacefully” in Johannesburg “after a protracted and courageous battle with prostate cancer”.

Reacting to the jazz legend’s death, Ken Addy told Doreen Andoh in an interview on the Cosmopolitan Mix of Joy FM Tuesday, that he was shocked beyond measure when he heard the sad news.

“I was stunned this morning by the news of Hugh’s death and I haven’t recovered. Towards the latter part of last year, we got notification from his family about him suspending all engagements…because he wasn’t too well. We all hoped he was going to recover and come back on the scene but alas, the good Lord knows best,” he said.

Recounting his fond memories of the South African trumpeter, the host of Jazz on Joy noted that, “Hugh was such an affable person, a true gem. Very jovial, very funny, witty kind of person.”

“Some of us have followed his music right from when he came to record with Hedzoleh Soundz group who were based at Napoleon Club owned by the late Faisal Helwani…they came out with an album titled ‘The Boy’s Doin’ It’,” Uncle Ken fondly recalled.

Ken Addy did not only follow Hugh Masekela’s musical exploits.

He also “had the chance of hosting him at the Baseline Jazz Club (now +233 Jazz Bar) and then I hosted a concert that he performed at the National Theatre. I’ve so many interactions with Hugh and his wife – a Ghanaian – was actually a good friend of mine.”

He also interviewed him on Jazz on Joy on Joy FM.

“He will be remembered as one of the greatest African musicians ever,” the veteran broadcaster summed up.

High Masekela gained global recognition with his distinctive Afro-Jazz sound and hits such as ‘Grazing in the Grass’ and ‘Soweto Blues’.

Born in the South African town of Witbank in 1939, Masekela was inspired to learn the trumpet after seeing Kirk Douglas play Bix Beiderbecke in the 1950 film ‘Young Man with a Horn’.

قالب وردپرس