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 In a career spanning more than five decades, Masekela gained
international recognition with his distinctive Afro-Jazz sound
and hits such as "Soweto Blues", which served as one of the
soundtracks to the anti-apartheid movement.
Following the end of white-minority rule, he opened the 2010
FIFA Soccer World Cup Kick-Off Concert and performed at the
event's opening ceremony in Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium.
"Hugh’s global and activist contribution to and participation in
the areas of music, theater, and the arts in general is
contained in the minds and memory of millions," a statement on
behalf of the Masekela family said.
"Rest in power beloved, you are forever in our hearts."
His son, Sal, recalled memories of being dragged around the jazz
clubs of Manhattan by his father aged just five.
"He would steal the hearts and souls of innocents with a musical
storytelling all his own," Sal posted on his Facebook page.
"It was these moments and his choosing to take me around the
globe any chance he got, that would come to shape my entire
world view."
Masekela's song "Bring Him Back Home (Nelson Mandela)", written
while he was in living in exile, called for the release of
the-then imprisoned Mandela and was banned by the apartheid
regime.
South African President Jacob Zuma said the nation would mourn a
man who "kept the torch of freedom alive".
"It is an immeasurable loss to the music industry and to the
country at large. His contribution to the struggle for
liberation will never be forgotten," Zuma said in a statement.
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Arts and Culture minister Nathi Mthethwa tweeted: "A baobab tree has
fallen, the nation has lost a one of a kind."
After honing his craft as a teenager, Masekela left South Africa
aged 21 to begin three decades in exile.
His global appeal hit new heights in 1968 when his instrumental
single "Grazin' in the Grass" went to number one in the U.S. charts.
As well as close friendships with jazz legends like Miles Davis,
John Coltrane and Charlie Mingus, Masekela also recorded with the
Byrds and performed alongside stars such as Janis Joplin, Otis
Redding and Jimi Hendrix at the famed 1967 Monterey Pop Festival.
Still performing 50 years on, he toured Europe in 2012 with Paul
Simon to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his classic album
"Graceland" in an African musical extravaganza.
He was married to singer and activist Miriam Makeba, known as "Mama
Africa", from 1964 to 1966.
British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said in a tweet that
Masekela was "a titan of jazz and of the anti-apartheid struggle".
"His courage, words and music inspired me, were heard across the
world, and strengthened the resolve of those fighting for justice in
South Africa."
(Reporting by Joe Brock, Additional reporting by Tanisha Heiberg and
Lynette Ndabambi, Editing by Angus MacSwan)
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