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Ivy is the researcher and writer behind The African Gourmet, blending African food, history, and cultural storytelling. Her work is cited by universities, Wikipedia, major news outlets, and global food writers.

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Trumpeter Musician Hugh Masekela

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Hugh Masekela was a world-renowned trumpeter musician and political leader who released over 40 albums.

Masekela trumpeter musical style was influenced by Miles Davis. Masekela performed at the Monterey Pop Festival alongside The Who. U2 front-man Bono said playing with Masekela was one of the highlights of his career.


Hugh Masekela world-renowned musician and political leader photo by afromusing

Trumpeter African Musician Hugh Masekela 20 Years of Freedom

Hugh Masekela was born 75 years ago in the town of Witbank, South Africa in 1939. Masekela began to hone his, now signature, Afro-Jazz sound in the late 1950s. In 1960, at the age of 21, he left South Africa to begin what would be 30 years in exile from the land of his birth.

On arrival in New York he enrolled at the Manhattan School of Music. This coincided with a golden era of jazz music and the young Hugh Masekela immersed himself in the New York jazz scene where nightly he watched greats like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Mingus and Max Roach.

Under the tutelage of Dizzy Gillespie and Louis Armstrong, Hugh was encouraged to develop his own unique style, feeding off African rather than American influences – his debut album, released in 1963, was entitled Trumpet Africaine.

In 1967 Hugh performed at the Monterey Pop Festival alongside Janis Joplin, Otis Redding, Ravi Shankar, The Who and Jimi Hendrix. In 1968, his instrumental single ‘Grazin’ in the Grass’ went to Number One on the American pop charts and was a worldwide smash, elevating Hugh onto the international stage

In 1990 Hugh returned home, following the unbanning of the ANC and the release of Nelson Mandela – an event anticipated in Hugh’s anti-apartheid anthem ‘Bring Home Nelson Mandela’ (1986) which had been a rallying cry around the world.

In June 2010 Masekela opened the FIFA Soccer World Cup Kick-Off Concert to a global audience and performed at the event’s Opening Ceremony in Soweto’s Soccer City. The US Virgin Islands proclaimed ‘Hugh Masekela Day’ in March 2011, not long after Hugh joined U2 on stage during the Johannesburg leg of their 360 World Tour. U2 Bono described meeting and playing with Hugh as one of the highlights of his career.

According to his biography, Masekela is currently using his global reach to spread the word about heritage restoration in Africa – a topic that remains very close to his heart.

Masekela says “My biggest obsession is to show Africans and the world who the people of Africa really are,” Masekela confides – and it’s this commitment to his home continent that has propelled him forward since he first began playing the trumpet.

February and March 2015, South African musical legends Hugh Masekela and Vusi Mahlesela embarked on a North American musical tour, 20 Years of Freedom. The tour celebrated the 20th anniversary of South Africa’s social equality and the end of apartheid.



About Trumpeter Musician Hugh Masekela 
Birth name
Hugh Ramapolo Masekela.

Born
April 4, 1939 in Emalahleni, South Africa.
Died
January 23, 2018 at age 78 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Genres played
Jazz, Mbaqanga and Afropop.

Instruments played
Trumpet, flugel horn, trombone, cornet and singer.

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Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=
The African Gourmet explores how African food, history, and science intertwine. Here, a plant is a healer, a story is a map, and the kitchen is a laboratory. I’m Ivy — a writer raised by historians, now sharing Africa’s wisdom from the U.S. through cookbooks, cultural research, and storytelling. If you’re curious about where flavor meets memory, you belong here.

Recipes Explain Politics

🍚

🍚 When Rice Recipes Become Revolution

What if your grandmother's rice recipe could explain the Liberian Rice Riots of 1979?

"In Liberia, rice isn't just food—it's life, identity, and sovereignty. When the government proposed raising rice prices in 1979, they weren't just adjusting economics; they were threatening every grandmother's ability to feed her family according to traditions passed down for generations. The riot that followed wasn't about politics—it was about the sacred right to cook your family's rice recipe."

🍲 The Deeper Recipe:

  • Ingredients: Colonial trade patterns + Urbanization + Economic inequality
  • Preparation: Political disconnect from daily survival needs
  • Serving: 40+ deaths, regime destabilization, and a warning about ignoring cultural fundamentals

This is African Gourmet analysis: understanding how the food in grandmother's pot connects to the protests in the streets. The recipes we inherit carry not just flavor, but the entire history of our political and economic struggles.

Understanding Africa through the stories our food tells • Since 2006

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African Gourmet FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why "The African Gourmet" if you cover more than just food?

Great question! While many associate "gourmet" exclusively with cuisine, its true meaning is "a connoisseur" – someone with refined taste and deep expertise. For over 18 years, I've served as a gourmet of African culture at large, savoring and presenting the continent's rich history, vibrant traditions, timeless wisdom, and contemporary stories with the same discerning palate one would apply to fine food. The name reflects my commitment to curating Africa's cultural wealth with authority and passion.

What makes The African Gourmet different from other culture sites?

With 18 years of consistent publishing, I offer depth and continuity that's rare online. I don't just report on African culture – I contextualize it, connecting traditional wisdom with modern realities, and food with folklore, politics, and daily life. It's a holistic view of Africa's past, present, and future, all through the lens of a seasoned cultural storyteller.

How do you choose what to write about?

My content selection is driven by a desire to showcase Africa's incredible diversity and challenge stereotypes. I balance covering foundational cultural elements (like proverbs and recipes) with timely analysis of current events (like the AGOA trade agreement). The goal is always to educate and illuminate the complex, dynamic realities of the African continent.

Do you focus on specific regions of Africa?

My coverage spans the entire continent – from North to South, East to West. While certain stories may focus on specific countries or regions, my mission is to represent the breathtaking diversity of 54 countries and thousands of cultures. I make a conscious effort to include both well-known and underrepresented cultures in my work.

Can I request a topic or contribute to the site?

I welcome thoughtful topic suggestions from engaged readers! While I maintain editorial control to ensure quality and consistency, I'm always interested in hearing what aspects of African culture you're curious about. Feel free to reach out through my contact page with your ideas.

How can I support The African Gourmet's work?

The greatest support is engaged readership – sharing articles you find valuable, participating in discussions, and helping spread cultural understanding. Following the blog and sharing it with others who would appreciate this unique perspective on Africa helps this 18-year labor of love continue to grow and reach new audiences.