Legendary trumpeter/bandleader Hugh Masekela turns 75 Friday, so we asked how long he plans to continue playing and touring the world. “As long as I’m able to,” the South African musician says, adding with a laugh, “It’s far more enjoyable than sitting on the porch and watching the sunset!”
This weekend, Masekela looks back on a long career as part of a two-show birthday celebration presented by Jazz at Lincoln Center at Rose Theater (Broadway and 60th Street, jalc.org) — with one show featuring special guest and friend Paul Simon.
“I don’t wake up in the morning and say: ‘I want to collaborate with more people than any other musician!’” Masekela laughs, but in addition to over 40 albums of his own, his trumpet has graced the recordings of many other artists along the way. Whether you’re heading to Friday or Saturday’s show or not, here are some career highlights to inspire you:
The Jazz Epistles, ‘Vary-oo-vum’ (1960)
Alongside Dollar Brand (now Abdullah Ibrahim), Kippie Moeketsi, Makhaya Nitshoko and Johnny Gertze, Masekela was a member of the Jazz Epistles, who recorded the first African jazz album (!). Shortly after its limited release, the increasing brutality of the apartheid state caused Masekela to leave the country, beginning an exile that lasted three decades.
The Byrds, ‘So You Want to Be a Rock ‘n’ Roll Star’ (1967)
Byrds’ bassist Chris Hillman came up with the bass hook to The Byrds’ single while playing a recording session with Masekela himself, who then lent his horn to this classic music industry satire. “It’s not planned,” says Masekela of musical collaboration, joking: “I can’t go to Joan Baez or Bob Dylan and say, ‘Hey, I have a plan in my life so I can play with you.’” (Although at this point, he probably could.)
Bob Marley, ‘Nice Time’ (1968)
From South Africa to NYC to Kingston, Jamaica, Masekela’s horn has been heard all around the world. Plus, he has a good ear for talent, playing on some of reggae legend Bob Marley & the Wailers’ first recordings.
Paul Simon, Graceland Tour (1987)
Masekela first met Paul Simon in 1965, and 20 years later joined Simon’s legendary Graceland tour, which featured South African musicians including Ladysmith Black Mombazo and Masekela’s former wife Miriam Makeba. While his collaborations aren’t “planned like a political campaign,” Masekela says, he does credit the tour with “reaching people who had never heard of even South African music or of apartheid.” And the two still play together “quite often,” as they will Friday.
Hugh Masekela, ‘Bring Him Back Home (Nelson Mandela)’ (1987)
Despite his exile, Masekela worked as an activist against the apartheid state, and his ’80s hit “Bring Him Back Home (Mandela)” served as an anthem for the cause — even though the mere mention of Mandela’s name got the song banned by the South African government.
Hugh Masekela, ‘Grazing In The Grass’ (1968)
Almost four decades after this instrumental No. 1 hit, and almost 20 after his triumphant post-apartheid return home, Masekela opened the 2010 World Cup looking and sounding as lively as ever. “If you don’t keep fit and look out for your health, things will start to sag very early,” he tells us, but from the looks of it, the days of sitting on the porch are a while off yet. Catch him this weekend for his 75th!