He may have only one hit on the charts, but he is still touring and writing. He was banned from his country for three decades: Hugh Masekela, according to his website.

Hugh Masekela was born in Witbank, South Africa, in 1939. In his teens, Masekela was given a trumpet by Father Trevor Huddleston, then they formed the Huddleston Jazz Band. Masekela's Afro-Jazz sound began in the 1950s and was heard in the musical King Kong in 1959.

At age 21 in 1960, Masekela left South Africa and enrolled in Manhattan School of Music. He would watch jazz greats such as Miles Davis and Max Roach. Louis Armstrong encouraged Masekela to use his African influences for his own style. Masekela released "Trumpet Africaine" in 1963.

He moved to Los Angeles and performed with Janis Joplin, The Who, Otis Redding among many others at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. Masekela hit the top of the charts in 1968 with "Grazin' In The Grass" and became an international star. Masekela has recorded more than 40 albums and has worked with many artists, including Marvin Gaye, The Byrds and Stevie Wonder.

After 30 years, in 1990, Masekela was able to return home for the the release of Nelson Mandela.

In 2004, he released his autobiography Still Grazing: The Musical Journey of Hugh Masekela with D. Michael Cheers. In his 70s, he continues to tour.

In 2010, he was part of the opening ceremonies of FIFA Soccer World Cup Kick-Off. Masekela also created the musical "Songs of Migration" that same year, which went to Amsterdam, London and Washington.

Masekela has been honored by South African's President Zuma with their highest award, The Order of Ikhamanga and the Lifetime Achievement Award in Copenhagen at the WOMEX World Music Expo.

A few years ago, Masekela added record label owner by opening his studio, House of Masekela. The first release was a four-CD jazz collection "Friends."

He continues to "show Africans and the world who the People of Africa really are."

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