HUGH MASEKELA - CONTRACT DOUBLE SIGNED 08/14/1967 - HFSID 262655

HUGH MASEKELA
Contract signed twice by the South African horn player to appear on a 1967 episode of Kraft Music Hall. Extremely rare!
Contract double signed: "HM" "Hugh Masekela", in blue ink, 8½x11. Hugh Masekela (b. 1939) is a horn player and composer hailing from Wilbank, South Africa. Inspired to play trumpet after seeing the film Young Man with a Horn, Masekela was gifted a trumpet by a local archbishop, and quickly began mastering the instrument while still in his teens. He used the instrument as an outlet for his frustration with South African life, helping to infuse powerful tones into his playing, which caught the attention of fellow musicians. Following a tour with the musical King Kong and the rising tensions and violence in South Africa, Masekela fled to London and began pursuing his musical career more seriously. He began playing jazz ensembles and recording, releasing U.S. hits like "Up, Up and Away" and "Grazing in the Grass", which earned him a 1968 Grammy nomination. Masekela also supported other musicians with his horn playing, appearing on recordings with The Byrds and touring with Paul Simon for his Graceland tour. In recent years, the musician has gone back to his South African roots, altering his playing style to more closely reflect his country's style and by using his celebrity to help bring to light the culture of South Africa. Light surface creases. Top left corner torn. Corners lightly worn and creased. Slightly toned. Ink and pencil notes (unknown hand). Ink stamps. Otherwise, fine condition.